EP2629375A1 - Socket - Google Patents

Abstract

The socket (10) has a main voltage plug (16) i.e. protected socket plug, arranged in a socket body (12). One or more low voltage plugs (24, 26, 28) are arranged on upwardly facing side (22) of the socket body in an upright position. The low voltage plugs are movably formed and arranged adjacent to each other, so that one of the low voltage plugs is movable to attach a mobile apparatus to other low voltage plugs. The low voltage plug is partially or completely movable into the socket body. The socket body comprises a recess (20) for receiving the low voltage plug. The low voltage plugs are selected from a regular universal serial bus (USB) plug, an Apple dock connector plug, a mini USB plug, a micro USB plug, a charging plug for a mobile telephone, a charging plug for a tablet computer, a charging plug for a smartphone and a charging plug for a digital camera.

Description

Technical area

The present invention generally relates to a socket. More specifically, a socket is proposed which provides both mains voltage and low voltage.

background

The number of mobile devices has grown rapidly in recent years, and an end to the increase is not in sight. By way of example, mobile phones, smart phones, digital cameras, portable music players (e.g., MP3 players), tablet computers, and portable navigation devices may be mentioned in this context.

The mobility of these devices is ensured by batteries. Often come here then accumulators are used. Such accumulators must be charged from time to time via a usually supplied with the device power supply to a power outlet. The problem here is that the power supply is not always carried. When traveling to foreign countries, it is more difficult to say that not every power supply unit fits into every socket because of the different types of sockets available from country to country.

These disadvantages are partially solved by the fact that many mobile devices can be connected in the meantime via a charging cable to a computer and charged via its power supply. Typically, the mobile device is connected to the computer via a USB port.

In many cases, however, when traveling, such as in the evening in a hotel, neither a suitable power supply nor a suitable computer is available to recharge a mobile device at the end of a working day. For this reason, in good hotels now sockets are used, which not only have a mains voltage socket, but also a low-voltage socket with an associated voltage converter. Such a socket is out of the DE 10 2010 000 442 A1 known. In this socket, the low-voltage socket is a USB port to which - via a suitable charging cable - the mobile device can be connected for charging.

If there is no charging cable available, that creates from the DE 20 2009 013 645 U1 known socket remedy. In this socket, a charging cable with, for example, a USB plug is integrated. Furthermore, the socket has a storage space in order to store the mobile device during the charging process can. However, the integration of a charging cable into the socket and its handling is complex, especially as regards the stowage of the charging cable before or after the charging process. For this reason, the from the DE 20 2009 013 645 U1 known solution for hotels and similar, high-traffic areas little suitable.

Also from the DE 10 2010 036 338 A1 is a socket with a low voltage socket known. In this socket designed as a socket outlet, the low-voltage socket is designed as a rotatable USB socket to which the mobile device can be connected for charging via a suitable charging cable. Further, the US 6,780,048 B2 a power strip to which a USB plug can be detachably attached.

Short outline

The invention has for its object to provide a socket with mains voltage connection and low voltage connection, which is safe and easy to use in connection with the use of the low voltage connection.

Accordingly, a socket is provided which has a socket body with at least one upwardly directed side, at least one arranged in the socket body power jack and at least one on the upwardly directed side of the socket body substantially upright arranged or arranged low-voltage plug. The upright position may extend substantially perpendicular to a plug-in axis of the mains voltage socket.

Alternatively, the upright position may extend substantially parallel or in any other direction (e.g., transversely or at a certain angle) to a plug-in axis of the mains voltage socket.

According to a variant, a socket is provided which has a socket body, at least one arranged in the socket body mains voltage socket and at least one low-voltage connector which is rotatably mounted on the socket body via a bearing.

According to another variant, a socket is provided which has a socket body, at least one arranged in the socket body mains voltage socket and at least one low-voltage plug, which is mounted in a vertical axis to the plug-in axis of the power socket level or parallel thereto slidably mounted on the socket body.

According to a further variant, a socket is provided which has a socket body, at least one arranged in the socket body mains voltage socket and two low-voltage plug, which are fixed with respect to a plug-in axis of the mains socket in succession to the socket body.

The upward side may be flat or non-planar. According to a variant, the upward side is formed by an upper side of a housing of the socket body. According to another variant, the upward side is formed at any point below this top. The upward side may be in the mounting state of the socket upwards be. According to a variant, the upward side may extend substantially parallel to a plug-in axis of the mains voltage socket. In this case, the plug-in axis of the mains voltage socket can run in a plane of the upward side.

The at least one low-voltage plug may be rigid with respect to the socket body or be designed to be movable. The mobility can be ensured in different ways. For example, the low-voltage plug can be movable so that it can be moved partially or completely under a plane defined by a housing top. If the low-voltage plug is moved completely below this level, then there is no contact area of the low-voltage plug across this level.

According to a variant, two movable low-voltage plugs are provided adjacent to one another in such a way that one of the two low-voltage plugs must be moved in order to be able to attach a mobile device to the other low-voltage plug.

The at least one low-voltage plug can be partially or completely movable inwardly into the socket body. In such a case, the socket body may have a recess for receiving the at least one low voltage plug. The recess can be closed by means of a suitable cover.

The mobility of the low voltage plug may include rotatability (e.g., tiltability or pivotability). Thus, the low voltage plug may be rotatable to be brought into a substantially lying position. In this case, the socket body may have a recess formed laterally with respect to the low-voltage plug in order to partially or completely receive the low-voltage plug in the lying position.

Furthermore, a stop may be provided to limit a rotational movement of the at least one low-voltage plug in the upright position. In this case, additionally, a damper (e.g., a damper member or a damper mechanism) may be functionally provided between the stopper and the low-voltage connector. The damper may for example consist of an elastic material such as rubber or foam and according to a variant form the stop or be applied to the stop. Possible damping mechanisms may include a spring element (for example a coil spring) and be mounted in the region of a rotation axis of the low-voltage connector or otherwise.

According to another option, the low-voltage plug is designed to be translationally movable. Thus, the low-voltage plug can have a longitudinal axis and be translationally movable parallel to this longitudinal axis. Alternatively, the low-voltage plug can be designed to be translationally movable (eg displaceable) perpendicular to its longitudinal axis.

A provisioning mechanism may be provided to access the low voltage plug for a mobile device. The provisioning mechanism may be formed, for example, in the case of translationally designed low-voltage plugs in the manner of the spring-force-based ejection mechanism for SD cards or in the manner of the ejection mechanism of CD-ROM readers. In a rotatable low-voltage connector, the supply mechanism may be realized in the manner of a spring-loaded cassette compartment opening mechanism of a cassette player. In the simplest case, the supply mechanism allows a manual movement of the low-voltage plug, wherein its upright position can be secured in such a case by means of a latching mechanism.

According to an embodiment, two or more low-voltage plugs are arranged on the upwardly directed side. The plurality of low-voltage plugs may be arranged behind one another or next to one another (with respect to a plug-in axis of the mains voltage socket). Thus, the plurality of low-voltage plugs may be arranged side by side substantially in a plane perpendicular to this plug-in axis. A single low-voltage plug can also be arranged or arranged essentially in a plane perpendicular to this plug-in axis.

The upwardly facing side or other element may provide a support area for a mobile device plugged onto the at least one low voltage plug. The support area may be flat or non-planar (that is, for example, point-like or line-like). Furthermore, the support area can be realized movably (for example, fold-away).

The at least one low voltage connector may be selected from one or more of the following connector types: regular USB connector, Apple® Dock Connector connector, mini USB connector, microUSB connector, charging connector for a mobile phone, charging connector for a tablet computer , Charging plug for a smartphone and charging plug for a digital camera.

According to a variant, the socket further comprises a flush-mounted part for wall mounting. The flush-mounted part can be integrated in the socket body or be provided separately from the socket body.

In the socket body, two or more mains voltage sockets can be arranged with different plug-in images. The two or more mains voltage sockets can be arranged spatially next to each other and / or in the manner of a multi-jack in the same spatial area.

The mains voltage socket may be a Schuko socket. If a flush-mounted part is provided, the Schuko socket can be provided concentrically with the flush-mounted part.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels einer Steckdose;

Fig. 2

eine Vorderansicht der Steckdose gemäß Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

eine Seitenansicht der Steckdose gemäß Fig. 1;

Fig. 4

eine Aufsicht auf die Steckdose gemäß Fig. 1;

Fig. 5

eine perspektivische Teilansicht der Oberseite der Steckdose gemäß Fig. 1;

Fig. 6

eine perspektivische Explosionsdarstellung der Steckdose gemäß Fig. 1;

Fig. 7

eine seitliche Explosionsdarstellung der Steckdose gemäß Fig. 1;

Fig. 8

eine Vorderansicht der Steckdose gemäß Fig. 1 mit aufgestecktem mobilen Gerät (schematisch angedeutet);

Fig. 9

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels einer Steckdose;

Fig. 10

eine Vorderansicht der Steckdose gemäß Fig. 9; und

Fig. 11

eine Aufsicht auf die Steckdose gemäß Fig. 9.

Other aspects, features and advantages of the socket disclosed herein will become apparent from the embodiments explained below and from the figures. Show it:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a first embodiment of a socket;

Fig. 2

a front view of the socket according to Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3

a side view of the socket according to Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 4

a supervision of the socket according to Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 5

a partial perspective view of the top of the socket according to Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 6

an exploded perspective view of the socket according to Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 7

a side exploded view of the socket according to Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 8

a front view of the socket according to Fig. 1 with attached mobile device (schematically indicated);

Fig. 9

a perspective view of another embodiment of a socket;

Fig. 10

a front view of the socket according to Fig. 9 ; and

Fig. 11

a supervision of the socket according to Fig. 9 ,

Detailed description

In the following, several embodiments of a socket are exemplified. Matching or comparable elements are given the same reference numerals.

In the FIGS. 1 to 8 a first embodiment of a socket 10 is shown. This socket 10 is first with reference to the FIGS. 1 to 4 explained.

The socket 10 includes a socket body 12 having a housing 14. The housing 14 is formed as a cuboid with a substantially square base. The socket body 12 further comprises a mains voltage socket 16 arranged therein. This mains voltage socket 16 in the present exemplary embodiment is a conventional Schuko socket according to DIN 49440/441.

The housing 14 has on its upper side 14 A an opening 18 which allows access to a recess 20 in the socket body 12. This recess 20 has an in the assembled state of the socket 10 upwardly directed side 22. On this upwardly directed side 22 a total of three low-voltage plugs 24, 26, 28 are provided. The first low-voltage plug 24 is a micro-USB plug, the second low-voltage plug 26 is an Apple® Dock Connector plug, and the third low-voltage plug 28 is a mini-USB plug. How best Fig. 4 can be seen, the low-voltage plugs 24, 26, 28 are arranged side by side. More precisely, the low-voltage plugs 24, 26, 28 extend side by side within a plane perpendicular to the plug-in axis of the mains voltage socket 16. On the upper side 14A of the housing 14, a low-voltage socket 30 is further provided. The low-voltage socket 30 also complies with the USB standard.

While the mains voltage socket 16 (in Germany) AC voltage of typically 220-230 V is provided, the low-voltage plugs 24, 26, 28 and the low-voltage socket 30 are used to power a mobile device (in the FIGS. 1 to 4 not shown) with DC voltage. The DC voltage is typically used to charge and / or operate the mobile device.

As in the FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrated, the socket body 12 includes next to the housing 14, a flush-mounted part 32 for wall mounting. While the housing 14 thus forms a surface-mounted part, the flush-mounted part 32 is completely received in the mounted state of the socket 10 in a wall.

Hereinafter, with reference to the perspective cutout enlargement according to Fig. 5 , the two exploded views according to the FIGS. 6 and 7 and the schematic drawing according to Fig. 8 the functionality of the low-voltage connector 24, 26, 28 explained in more detail.

As in Fig. 5 As shown, the low-voltage plugs 24, 26, 28 are arranged in the recess 20 of the socket body 12. The recess 20 is bounded by a housing insert 34 provided on the upper side 14A of the housing 14. The housing insert 34 has a substantially U-shaped cross-section in a direction perpendicular to a plug-in axis of the mains voltage socket 16. In the present embodiment, the bottom of the U defines the upwardly directed side 22 of the socket body 12. It is understood that this upward side 22 may be formed in other embodiments of the socket body 12 in other embodiments.

The low-voltage plugs 24, 26, 28 are arranged movably in the socket body 12. In the present embodiment, the low-voltage plugs 24, 26, 28 are rotatably mounted in the region of the upwardly directed side 22 to be selectively moved to a lying position or an upright position. In the exemplary embodiment, the upright position extends substantially perpendicular to the plug-in axis of the mains voltage socket 16, while the lying position extends substantially parallel thereto. It is understood that certain angular deviations with respect to the vertical or the parallels are quite permissible and do not affect the concept presented here.

In the exemplary FIGS. 1 to 7 For example, the first low voltage plug 24 is in a reclined position while the second low voltage plug 26 is in an upright position and the third low voltage plug 28 is in an intermediate position between the reclined position and the low voltage plug standing upright position. In any case, in the upright position of one of the low-voltage plugs 24, 26, 28, the actual contact region extends over a plane defined by the upper side 14A of the housing 14 so that a mobile device 100 can be plugged into contact with this low-voltage plug 24, 26, 28 (see. Fig. 8 ). A support area for the plugged-in mobile device 100 may in this case be provided either by a contact housing of the low-voltage plug 24, 26, 28, by the upper side 14A of the housing 14 or by suitable support structures in the housing insert 34, such as the one shown in FIG Fig. 5 illustrated ribs 34.

In the in Fig. 5 shown lying position of the low-voltage connector 24 is disposed completely below a plane defined by the top 14 A of the housing 14. In such a lying position, the low-voltage plugs 24, 26, 28 are thus received protected within the recess 20. In addition, the horizontal arrangement allows, for example, the two low-voltage plugs 24, 28 in the upright position of the low-voltage connector 26 plugging a wider mobile device 100, such as a tablet computer, on the low-voltage connector 26 (see. Fig. 8 ). The mobility of the low-voltage plug 24, 26, 28 therefore allows a more compact design of the socket body 12 in particular in applications in which a plurality of low-voltage plugs are arranged close to each other.

In the present embodiment, the low voltage plugs 24, 26, 28 can be manually (i.e., by means of one or more fingers) transferred from the lying position to the upright position (and back again). Both positions are defined by suitable stops 36 and optional latching structures (not shown). In the figures, only individual of the stops 36 are recognizable. The individual stops 36 may be formed or covered by an elastic material such as rubber or foam. In particular, for those stops 36, which limit the upright position of the low-voltage plugs 24, 26, 28, such dampers are expedient to a Aushebeln the low-voltage plugs 24, 26, 28 from their storage in the insert 34 in an angular removal of a plugged-on mobile device 100th to prevent or at least counteract such leverage.

The storage of the low-voltage connector 24, 26, 28 in the socket body 12 can best be seen from the two exploded views of FIGS. 6 and 7 detect.

As shown in these exploded views, the lower-side contact housing of each of the three low-voltage plugs 24, 26, 28 is provided on opposite sides with trunnions which rotatably engage corresponding bearing grooves in the insert 34. The axes of rotation of the low-voltage plugs 24, 26, 28 are arranged coaxially with each other and extend in a direction perpendicular to the insertion axis of the mains voltage socket 16 level. The course of this thru axle is in the FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrated by a fastening screw 38, with which the housing 14 is attached to the flush-mounted part 32.

After inserting the provided on the contact housings of the low-voltage plugs 24, 26, 28 bearing pins in the formed in the insert 34 bearing grooves the bearing grooves are closed by a wall portion 40. As in Fig. 6 illustrated, provided for the upright position stops 36 are formed on this wall part.

A circuit board 42 (Printed Circuit Board, PCB), which is only sketched schematically, is inserted into the housing insert 34. On the circuit board 42, the electronic components are arranged to convert the AC-related AC voltage into a DC voltage according to the respective specification of the low-voltage plugs 24, 26, 28. In the FIGS. 1 to 7 not shown is the cable connection between the low-voltage connectors 24, 26, 28 and the printed circuit board 42 and the printed circuit board 42 and mains voltage contacts in the region of the flush-mounted part 32nd

In the FIGS. 9 to 11 Another embodiment of a socket 10 is shown. With respect to the low-voltage plugs 24, 26, 28 corresponds to the embodiment according to the FIGS. 9 to 11 the embodiment described above.

Notwithstanding the above-described embodiment, a total of three spatially juxtaposed mains voltage sockets 16A, 16B, 16C are provided, wherein the average mains voltage socket 16A is again designed as Schuko socket and the side sockets 16B and 16C plug-in images according to the Swiss or British specifications. The arrangement of several mains voltage sockets 16A, 16B, 16C side by side leads to an enlarged design of the housing 14, but also to a larger support surface for mobile devices 100 on the top 14A of the housing 14. Further, the larger design allows the provision of two low-voltage sockets 30A, 30B ,

Notwithstanding the two embodiments described above could be arranged in the same spatial area in the manner of a multi-jack mains voltage jacks with different plug-in images. Furthermore, it would be conceivable to form the low-voltage connector differently from the embodiments described here translationally movable. For example, the low-voltage plugs could be designed to be translationally retractable in a plane perpendicular to the plug-in axis of the mains voltage socket or to be displaceable parallel thereto.

Claims (15)

Socket (10), with
a socket body (12) having at least one upwardly directed side (22);
at least one mains voltage socket (16) which is arranged in the socket body (12); and
at least one low voltage plug (24, 26, 28) disposed or arrangeable on the upwardly facing side (22) of the socket body (12) in a substantially upright position, the upright position being substantially perpendicular to a plug axis the mains voltage book (16) extends. Socket according to claim 1,
wherein the at least one low-voltage plug (24, 26, 28) is designed to be movable and / or two movable low-voltage plugs (24, 26, 28) are provided adjacent to one another such that one of the two low-voltage plugs (24, 26, 28) has to be moved, to connect one mobile device (100) to the other low-voltage plug (24, 26, 28). Socket according to claim 2,
wherein the at least one low-voltage plug (24, 26, 28) is movable partially or completely inward into the socket body (12) and the socket body (12) preferably has a recess (20) to connect the at least one low-voltage plug (24, 26, 28 ). Socket according to claim 2 or 3,
wherein the at least one low voltage plug (24, 26, 28) is rotatable to be brought to a substantially lying position. Socket according to claim 4,
wherein a stop (36) is provided for rotational movement of the at least one low voltage plug (24, 26, 28) to an upright position to limit. Socket according to claim 5,
wherein a damper is functionally provided between the stopper (36) and the at least one low voltage connector (24, 26, 28). Socket according to claim 2 or 3,
wherein the at least one low-voltage plug (24, 26, 28) is designed to be translationally movable. Socket according to claim 7,
wherein the at least one low-voltage plug (24, 26, 28) has a longitudinal axis and is translationally movable parallel to this longitudinal axis. Socket according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein two or more low-voltage plugs (24, 26, 28) are arranged on the upwardly directed side (22). Socket according to claim 9,
wherein the two or more low-voltage plugs (24, 26, 28) are arranged side by side and / or the two or more low-voltage plugs (24, 26, 28) are arranged substantially in a plane perpendicular to a plug-in axis of the mains voltage socket (16). Socket according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein a support portion (14A, 34) for a on the at least one low-voltage connector (24, 26, 28) plugged mobile device (100) is formed. Socket according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein the at least one low voltage connector (24, 26, 28) is selected from one or more of the following connector types: regular USB connector; Apple® Dock Connector Connector; Mini-USB connector; Micro-USB connector; Charging plug for a mobile telephone; Charging plug for a tablet computer; Charging plug for a smartphone; Charging plug for a digital camera. Socket according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein the socket has a flush-mounted part (32) for wall mounting and / or the socket body (12) has a housing (14) designed as a surface-mounted part. Socket according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein in the socket body (12) two or more mains voltage sockets (16A, 16B, 16C) are arranged with different plug-in images. Socket according to claim 14,
wherein the two or more mains voltage sockets (16A, 16B, 16C) are arranged spatially next to each other and / or in the manner of a multi-jack in the same spatial area.

Images