EP2920851B1 - Device socket for an electric outlet - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an electrical socket with a device base according to the preamble of claim 1.

Electrical installation devices in the manner of a power outlet are provided for connecting electrical consumers by means of appropriate plug to the electrical supply network and preferably installed stationary. Such sockets include a visible cover and an invisible in the assembled state device base. Usually, the sockets or the device base on a slot or two slots for the plug and can be assembled in combination with other electrical installation devices to multiple elements. Depending on the design, the device base can be mounted either inside or behind a mounting surface, in a so-called flush-mounted arrangement, or on a mounting surface, in a so-called surface-mounted arrangement.

Increasingly, additional functions are integrated into the sockets. For example, voltages and / or currents are detected in order to carry out consumption measurements or in order to interrupt the electrical connection to the consumer at excessive values. Furthermore, for example, wireless controls, optical and / or acoustic displays and supply stations for parallel systems are realized.

An upgrading an installed socket with an additional function can be done either by replacing the socket or on the other hand by a conversion and / or by an integration of appropriate Functional elements in the existing socket. In this case, corresponding modules are used in the device base, wherein an electrical contact is made without interference with an arranged in the device base conductor track structure at defined contact points. Circuit technology, the upgrade is often realized by a parallel arrangement to the supply voltage, for example by a simple tap on the terminals.

From document EP-A-1026792 is an electrical outlet according to the preamble of claim 1 is known.

Applications in which a functional extension circuitry is possible only by an intervention in the existing interconnect structure, require a corresponding adjustment of the interconnect structure or replacement of the device base. Such measures mean increased installation costs and are not particularly practicable.

The object of the present invention is therefore to eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantages and to provide a device socket for an electrical socket, which allows a montage friendly change and / or expansion of functions.

This problem is solved by the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments emerge from the subclaims.

The invention according to claim 1 has the advantage that a simple and easy to install option is created by the formation of a contact-making separation point in an existing trace of a device base to allow functional variants that require circuit modifications of existing interconnect structures. The variability and the possible uses of electrical sockets with the same basic configuration are significantly increased.

According to the invention, the separation point comprises a detachable electrical connection, wherein ends of an interrupted conductor track are electrically conductively connected. By interrupting the electrical connection of the conductor ends at this separation point changed functions can be realized.

According to the invention a releasable element is arranged at the separation point, which connects the ends of the interrupted conductor track electrically. As a releasable element is preferably an electrically conductive stamped and bent part, a so-called bridge, which is arranged on both conductor ends and has an insulated handle for an electrically safe access. For a mechanically and electrically secure connection between the detachable element and the conductor track ends are clamping and / or locking mechanisms.

The separation of the conductor can be done by completely removing the detachable element from the device base. In a further embodiment, after the interruption of the electrical connection, the releasable element may remain connected to one end of the track and be positioned within the device base in a rest position. For example, by moving on the conductor track or by articulated arrangement of the releasable element on the conductor track.

In a further embodiment, the separation point may comprise adjacent conductor track ends, which are separated by insertion of an electrically insulating element. In a special embodiment, such an element additionally comprises functional elements, so that the insertion of the element first of all the insulating separation of the conductor track ends can effect, while subsequently on the integrated functional elements a renewed, indirect connection of the conductor ends occurs.

According to the invention, the separation of the conductor track is reversible, so that if necessary the original position of the conductor track ends as well as the original function can be recovered. Preferably, a parking position for the element is formed within the socket, in which the element can be placed either before or after use depending on the design.

The invention enables a montage-friendly separation and / or modification of functions as well as an extension with additional functions. At the separation point, an existing function of a socket can be excluded by separation of the conductor. By separating the existing interconnect separate circuits can be created, which are separately usable. Furthermore, modules for realizing further functions can be arranged at or between conductor track ends at the separation point.

In a preferred embodiment, a measuring module can be interposed at the separation point, with which, for example, a consumption measurement can take place. Furthermore, in the case of an existing printed conductor structure having a plurality of terminals, a terminal can be separated as a self-sufficient wiring point. This is possible with both single and double sockets. With double sockets, a circuit-technical separation of circuits is made possible so that, for example, it is possible to separate into a switchable socket and into a socket directly supplied on the mains side.

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

Figur 1

eine perspektivische Frontansicht einer Doppelsteckdose,

Figur 2

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Gerätesockels der Doppelsteckdose aus Figur 1,

Figur 3

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Gerätesockels aus Figur 2 mit entferntem Element,

Figur 4

eine Leiterbahnstruktur mit eingesetztem Element,

Figur 5a

eine Teilansicht der Leiterbahnstruktur gemäß Figur 4 mit eingesetztem Element,

Figur 5b

eine Ansicht der Leiterbahnstruktur gemäß Figur 5a mit entferntem Element,

Figur 6a

eine Teilansicht einer weiteren Leiterbahnstruktur mit eingesetztem Element,

Figur 6b

die Leiterbahnstruktur gemäß Figur 6a mit entferntem Element,

Figur 7a

eine Teilansicht einer weiteren Leiterbahnstruktur mit eingesetztem Element,

Figur 7b

die Leiterbahnstruktur gemäß Figur 7a mit entferntem Element,

Figur 8a

eine vergrößerte Teilansicht einer weiteren Leiterbahnstruktur mit eingesetztem Element,

Figur 8b

die Leiterbahnstruktur gemäß Figur 8a mit gelöstem Element,

Figur 9a

eine vergrößerte Teilansicht einer weiteren Leiterbahnstruktur mit eingesetztem Element und

Figur 9b

die Leiterbahnstruktur gemäß Figur 9a mit gelöstem Element.

Show it:

FIG. 1

a front perspective view of a double socket,

FIG. 2

a perspective view of the device socket of the double socket FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3

a perspective view of the device base FIG. 2 with the element removed,

FIG. 4

a printed conductor structure with inserted element,

FIG. 5a

a partial view of the conductor track structure according to FIG. 4 with inserted element,

FIG. 5b

a view of the conductor track structure according to FIG. 5a with the element removed,

FIG. 6a

a partial view of another conductor track structure with inserted element,

FIG. 6b

the conductor track structure according to FIG. 6a with the element removed,

Figure 7a

a partial view of another conductor track structure with inserted element,

FIG. 7b

the conductor track structure according to Figure 7a with the element removed,

FIG. 8a

an enlarged partial view of another conductor track structure with inserted element,

FIG. 8b

the conductor track structure according to FIG. 8a with dissolved element,

FIG. 9a

an enlarged partial view of another conductor track structure with inserted element and

FIG. 9b

the conductor track structure according to FIG. 9a with dissolved element.

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

The structure of the device socket according to the invention for an electrical socket is described in detail with reference to FIGS.

In FIG. 1 an electrical socket 1 is shown, the two slots 2 and 3 for connecting not shown electrical consumers by means of plug to the electrical supply network. The electrical socket 1 comprises a visible cover 4 and an invisible in the assembled state device base 5, which in the FIGS. 2 and 3 is shown in more detail. The device base 5 is equipped according to the two slots 2 and 3 and attached to a support frame 6, which can be mounted on a mounting surface in a so-called flush mounting arrangement.

The device base 5 consists of a preferably multi-part plastic body 7 and frontally accessible contact elements 8-10 for the plug contacts of the plug of the electrical consumers and backward accessible terminals 11-13 for the wires of the building-side pipe network. The contact elements 8-10 are preferably socket-shaped, while the terminals 11-13 are formed either as screw terminals or as screwless terminals. Within the device base 5, a multi-part interconnect structure 14 is arranged, which consists of various interconnects 15-17 and which electrically connects the terminals 11-13 and the contact elements 8-10. The interconnects 15-17 are made of electrically conductive material and are formed as a punched and bent part. The contact elements 8-10 and the terminals 11-13 of the same line phase and the ground potential are each electrically connected to each other via a separate interconnect 15-17. In that regard, it is a conventional electrical socket 1 with two parallel sockets.

It is desirable to be able to set up other functions besides the aforementioned supply function with the same socket 1. For this purpose, a separation point 18 is formed within the conductor track structure 14 of the device base 5, which is provided for the electrical separation of at least one conductor track. The separation point 18 comprises a detachable electrical connection, wherein ends 19 and 20 of an interrupted conductor track 15 are electrically conductively connected. By interrupting the electrical connection of the conductor ends 19 and 20 at this separation point 18 changed functions can be realized.

In this case, a detachable from the outside releasable element 21 is used, which connects the ends 19 and 20 of the broken conductor 15 electrically at the separation point 18. As a detachable element 21 is an electrically conductive punched-bent part, a so-called bridge, which is arranged on the two conductor track ends 19 and 20. The detachable element 21 is formed with clamping regions 22 and 23, which ensures a mechanically and electrically secure connection between the releasable element 21 and the conductor ends 19 and 20. For an electrically safe access, the releasable element has an insulated handle (24) (FIG. 3).

The separation of the conductor 15 is effected by completely removing the detachable element 21 from the separation point 18. The separation of the conductor 15 is reversible, so that if necessary, the original position of the conductor ends 19 and 20 and the original function can be recovered. Preferably, a parking position (not shown) for the element 21 is formed within the socket 1.

According to FIG. 5a the releasable element 21 connects the conductor ends 19 and 20, while in the position after FIG. 5b the connection to the conductor ends 19 and 20 of the conductor 15 is interrupted. In the position according to FIG. 5b can the separate interconnect 15 are connected by a module, not shown, so that, for example, a consumption measurement of a connected consumer can be done.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 6a and 6b is shown a circuit separation of circuits or slots, so that can be separated by releasing the element 21 at the separation point 18, for example, in a switchable socket and in a directly mains side supplied socket.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 7a and 7b a circuit-technical separation of a self-sufficient connection point is shown, so that in an existing interconnect structure 14 with multiple terminals 11-13 can be separated as a self-sufficient wiring point by loosening the element 21 at the separation point 18, for example, a terminal 11 '.

In further embodiments, after the interruption of the electrical connection, the detachable element 21 can remain connected to at least one end 19 of the conductor track 15 and be positioned within the device base 5 in a rest position. For example, by shifting on the conductor track 15 (FIG. FIGS. 8a and 8b ) or by articulated arrangement ( FIGS. 9a and 9b ) of the releasable element 21 on the conductor track 15th

The foregoing description of the embodiment is for illustrative purposes only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention. Within the scope of the claims, various changes and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Electrical outlet

2

slot

3

slot

4

cover

5

device base

6

supporting frame

7

Plastic body

8th

contact element

9

contact element

10

contact element

11

terminal

11 '

terminal

12

terminal

13

terminal

14

Conductor structure

15

conductor path

16

conductor path

17

conductor path

18

separation point

19

Conductor track end

20

Conductor track end

21

Detachable element

22

clamping range

23

clamping range

24

Handle

Claims (10)

1. An electrical socket having a socket base (5) which comprises terminals (11-13) and contact elements (8-10) which are electrically connected to one another by conductor tracks (15-17),
   characterized in that
   a conductor track (15) has a separation point (18) to which conductor track ends (19, 20) are releasably and electrically conductively connected, with an element (21) being releasably arranged at the separation point (18) and connecting the conductor track ends (19, 20) to one another in an electrically conductive manner; and
   in that the element (21) can be reversibly arranged at the separation point (18) and has an insulated grip (24).
2. An electrical socket in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that an element (21) can be pushed between the conductor track ends (19, 20) in an insulating manner at the separation point (18).
3. An electrical socket in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the element (21) is releasably arranged at the separation point (18) while remaining at a conductor track end (19) at one side.
4. An electrical socket in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the element (21) can be arranged in a parking position in the socket (1).
5. An electrical socket in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the element (21) is a stamped/bent part.
6. An electrical socket in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the element (21) can be arranged on the conductor track ends (19, 20) in a clamping and/or latching manner.
7. An electrical socket in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a module can be arranged between the conductor track ends (19, 20) at the separation point (18).
8. An electrical socket in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a separation of terminals (11-13) and/or of insertion points (2, 3) takes place at the separation point (18).
9. An electrical socket in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the socket base (5) has at least two insertion points (2, 3).
10. An electrical socket in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a cover (4) and/or a support frame (6) can be fastened to the socket base (5).

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