EP3012920B1 - Electric socket - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an electrical socket, in particular charging socket, for electrical plug connection with a plug, with a socket housing, arranged in the socket housing load contact and a covering device, wherein the covering means comprises a cover for plug-in covering the load contact with not plugged in by the cover between a cover position and an open position is movable, wherein the cover member covers the load contact in the cover position and in the open position provides a plug-side access to the load contact.

In some European countries mechanical elements are prescribed for AC outlets, which cover when not operating a power outlet, so in particular when no plug is plugged into the socket, all possibly live contacts and protect against access. In this regard, the "principle of parental control" is also spoken. The covers must automatically close when unplugging the plug and may be open only with the contour of a plug provided for the socket.

In practice, the previously mentioned mechanical elements for covering possibly live contacts are also referred to as a shutter. The difficulty in constructing such a shutter is, inter alia, that the shutter mechanism must necessarily lie in front of the contacts in the plug-in direction, the contour opening the shutter is in the position of the plug, but the entire plug, including its housing, passes through the level of the shutter down to one Normally set reference plane must dive into the socket.

From the DE 10 2012 101 755 A1 is an electrical plug-in device with a closure device known. The closure device of the socket described therein is designed such that a shutter provided for covering a contact is opened via a rotary movement of the plug. A special toothed locking element in the shutter converts this rotational movement via toothed racks into a translation of the shutter. The socket is with the plug by means of a rotary movement quasi "unlocked" as with a key. This approach to removing it shutter requires so in addition to the insertion movement of the plug a further measure of the user, which makes the use of such a can relatively complex.

The DE 10 2006 024 996 describes a Berührschutzelement for an electrical coupling and / or an electrical outlet, an electrical coupling and / or socket with a Berührschutzelement and a method for producing an electrical coupling or an electrical outlet with Berührschutzelement. The contact protection element is designed and intended for insertion into a slot provided for this purpose in the contact carrier of the coupling or socket. It comprises a protective part that closes the contact sockets of the coupling or socket in the inserted state of the contact protection element, as well as a fixing part, via which the contact protection element is anchored in the inserted state in the contact carrier. In the retracted state, the protective part is movable relative to the fixing part between a protective position in which the contact sockets are closed, and a contact position in which the contact pins of a plug are inserted into the contact sockets. Furthermore, the contact protection element between the fixing part and the protective part has an elastic device which holds the protective part in the protective position and opposes a movement in the direction of the contact position with a closing force. Also, the protective part on inclined surfaces, which are arranged in the protective position in front of the contact sockets.

It is the object of the invention to provide such an electrical socket for electrical plug-in connection with a plug that allows a simple and reliable way covering an optionally live contact in the unplugged state, so if no plug is plugged into the socket.

This object is solved by the subject matter of patent claim 1. Preferred developments of the invention are described in the subclaims.

The invention is thus in an electrical socket, in particular charging socket, for electrical plug connection with a plug, with a socket housing, arranged in the socket housing load contact and a cover, wherein the cover comprises a cover for plug-in covering the load contact with not plugged in by the cover element is movable between a covering position and an open position, the covering element covering the load contact on the plug side in the covering position and providing a plug-side access to the load contact in the open position, characterized in that the covering device has a locking element which is provided with a button and a pawl, wherein the button is arranged such that it is kraftbeaufschlagbar from the plug side of the socket forth, the pawl is movable between a locking position and an unlocking, the pawl engages in the locking position in a locking opening, the pawl is led out in the unlocked position from the locking hole and the button is connected to the latch in such a way that by means of a plug-side force application of the button, the pawl can be transferred from the locking position to the unlocked position.

It is thus an essential point of the invention that the latch of the locking element can be brought out of the locking opening, that the button from the plug side of the socket forth, so. is acted upon by means of a plug provided for the socket, with force. This makes it possible that by the engagement of the pawl in the locking opening, a fixing of the cover takes place, which is solved by the plug-side force application of the locking element, specifically namely the button of the locking element. Thus, a possibility is provided to use the actual plug-in operation of inserting a plug provided for the electrical outlet also to move the cover of the cover from its covering position to its open position to provide access to the load contact and thus a galvanic contacting a plug contact to enable with the load contact of the electrical outlet.

Basically, the invention requires that at a plug-side force application of the pawl of the locking position is transferred to the unlocked position. For this purpose, a variety of configurations of the locking element are possible. According to the invention, however, it is provided that the locking element is designed such that a movement of the button in or opposite to the insertion leads to a pivoting of the pawl.

For this purpose, various constructions are possible in which the pawl, e.g. is pivotally fixed about a pivot axis and is connected by means of an articulated arm with the button, so that a linear movement of the probe leads to the desired pivotal movement of the pawl. According to the invention, however, it is provided in this connection that the locking element between the button and the latch has an elastic arm with a support, with which the locking element rests on a, preferably provided on the socket housing, abutment. By this abutment practically a pivot axis is defined, but which is not spatially fixed but during movement of the probe and thus during the pivoting of the pawl perpendicular to its extension direction, defined by the course of the abutment, is displaceable. As a result, however, exactly the desired effect is achieved, namely the translation of a linear movement of the probe in a pivoting of the pawl, wherein the elasticity of the elastic arm makes the use of a mechanical joint superfluous.

The elasticity of the elastic arm can be achieved in various ways. Preferably, however, it is provided that the entire locking element is made of a resilient plastic material.

In this context, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention further provided that the locking element has a second, connected to the button elastic arm with a support, with which the locking element rests on a, preferably provided on the cover, abutment. This preferred development of the invention forms the construction described above insofar as that achieved an increased stability of the locking element in kraftbeaufschlagten state of the probe and virtually the effect of a spiral spring is effected, which pushes the button after completion of the insertion force side back to its original position.

In this case, the button can be arranged relative to the cover in various ways to allow a plug-side force application. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, however, the cover has a passage opening in which the button of the locking element is inserted from the opposite side of the plug side. By means of this passage opening in the cover element, the push-button is accessible from the plug-in side, so that it can be removed from there, e.g. can be contacted by a portion of the mating face of a provided for the electrical outlet plug.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the passage opening and the probe are further dimensioned such that the probe is guided laterally in the passage opening and only in the insertion direction and opposite thereto movable. This means that the Button according to this preferred embodiment of the invention is formed relative to the through hole such that it laterally, so the inner edge of the through hole, only so much game that he is basically movable in the through hole, in the insertion and opposite thereto. The passage opening acts as a guide for the movements of the button, which performs this due to a force from the plug side of the electrical outlet or due to the above-described bending spring effect.

According to a further preferred development of the invention, it is provided that the cover element has a receiving opening connected to the through opening, in which the locking element is inserted from the opposite side of the plug side. This receiving opening is preferably dimensioned such that it serves as a guide of the additionally provided for the button components of the locking element and very particularly preferably provides an abutment for a support of the locking element.

If the latch of the locking element has been led out of the locking opening by the push-side application of force of the push button, so that an associated locking or fixing of the cover element of the cover has been canceled, there are various ways to bring the cover from the covering position in the open position , According to a preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the cover on the mating side adjacent to the button has such a chamfered surface that the cover at plug-side Force application of the tapered surface is moved. Due to the chamfered surface not only a force component in the insertion direction is exerted on plug-in force in plug-in direction on the cover, but also perpendicular thereto, ie in a plane perpendicular to the insertion direction. In this way, the cover can be moved from the covering position into the open position, so that access to the load contact is made possible, for example for galvanic contacting by means of a corresponding contact of a provided for the electrical outlet plug.

The bevel of the tapered surface in this preferred embodiment of the invention may extend in different directions, wherein the course of the slope of course defines the direction of the force exerted in the plane perpendicular to the insertion direction force. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention is provided in this context that the taper of the tapered surface extends to the center of the socket housing, so that the cover is moved at plug-side force application of the tapered surface to the outside of the socket housing. Thus, the cover is thus moved out of the center region of the socket housing, which makes it possible to provide for the middle region of the socket arranged several load contacts also a plurality of cover elements, which are moved with the plug plugged from the central region in the edge region of the box, where they contact Also other load contacts, they are not intended to cover, they can not interfere further.

In principle, it can be provided that a plug provided for the electrical socket without additional Facilities or measures in the electrical outlet can be inserted. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, however, provided in the insertion and opposite displaceable centering. This is preferably in a portion of the outer edge of the insertion, so provided for the insertion of the plug opening of the electrical outlet, provided and there movably attached to the socket housing. Preferably, the centering aid is provided with a return spring which exerts a force against the insertion direction on the centering aid. Such a centering aid has the advantage that the contacting of the areas of the mating face of a connector provided for the electrical socket, which is intended to effect the application of force to the pushbutton and thus the unlocking of the locking element, is reliably ensured.

Preferably, a return spring for retrieving the cover is also provided in the covering position for the cover. By means of such a return spring can thus always be ensured with the plug that the cover is always located above the covered load contact and this so it can not be touched by the plug side of the socket forth.

Furthermore, according to a preferred development of the invention, it is provided that two load contacts of the electrical socket can be covered by means of a common cover element, ie, they are covered in the unmated condition by means of the common cover element. A single, common cover member is thus associated with a load contact pair, so that this load contact pair is always covered together by means of the common cover member or in the open position this common cover provides access to both load contacts of the load contact pair. In this context, it is very particularly preferred that a plurality of load contact pairs are provided, each of which can be covered by a common cover member.

Finally, it is provided according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, regardless of the number of covered by a cover load contacts and regardless of the number of cover elements of the electrical outlet that the cover has a cover provided with a plurality of locking elements, preferably exactly two locking elements, each provided with a button and a pawl, as described above. This allows a particularly high level of security, as it allows the cover of the cover can only be brought from its covering position into its open position, when both pushbuttons are subjected to force and additionally a displacement of the cover occurs. This is by hand, in particular without precise knowledge of the design of the electrical outlet, or with a simple tool practically impossible, so that a very high level of security is achieved.

Fig. 1

schematisch eine elektrische Steckdose gemäß einem bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung in einer perspektivischen Ansicht,

Fig. 2

schematisch eine Frontansicht der elektrischen Steckdose gemäß dem bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung bei abgenommener Frontblende des Dosengehäuses mit zwei Abdeckeinrichtungen in Abdeckstellung,

Fig. 3

schematisch die elektrische Steckdose gemäß dem bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung aus Fig. 2 mit abgenommenem Schutzdeckel und den beiden Abdeckeinrichtungen in Öffnungsstellung,

Fig. 4a, b

das Verriegelungselement der Abdeckeinrichtung der elektrischen Steckdose gemäß dem bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung in einer Seitenansicht bzw. in einer perspektivischen Ansicht,

Fig. 5

die Abdeckeinrichtung in einer perspektivischen Ansicht von unten mit eingesetzten Verriegelungselementen,

Fig. 6

einen Teilschnitt durch die elektrische Steckdose gemäß dem bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung vor dem Stecken eines für die Steckdose vorgesehenen Steckers,

Fig. 7

einen Teilschnitt der elektrischen Steckdose gemäß dem bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung während des Steckvorgangs eines für die Steckdose vorgesehenen Steckers und

Fig. 8

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Bereichs der elektrischen Steckdose gemäß dem bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung, aus dem das Zusammenwirken einer Rückholfeder mit einer Abdeckeinrichtung ersichtlich ist.

The invention will be explained in detail below with reference to a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawings. In the drawings show

Fig. 1

1 schematically shows an electrical socket according to a preferred embodiment of the invention in a perspective view,

Fig. 2

schematically a front view of the electrical outlet according to the preferred embodiment of the invention with removed front panel of the socket housing with two covering devices in the covering position,

Fig. 3

schematically the electrical outlet according to the preferred embodiment of the invention Fig. 2 with removed protective cover and the two cover devices in the open position,

Fig. 4a, b

the locking element of the covering device of the electrical socket according to the preferred embodiment of the invention in a side view and in a perspective view,

Fig. 5

the cover device in a perspective view from below with inserted locking elements,

Fig. 6

a partial section through the electrical outlet according to the preferred embodiment of the invention before plugging a plug provided for the socket,

Fig. 7

a partial section of the electrical outlet according to the preferred embodiment of the invention during the insertion of a plug provided for the plug and

Fig. 8

a perspective view of a portion of the electrical outlet according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, from which the interaction of a return spring with a covering is visible.

Out Fig. 1 schematically is an electrical outlet 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention in a perspective view apparent. The electrical socket 1 is for an electrical connector with a not shown here, in the Fig. 6 and 7 However, schematically indicated plug 2 is provided. The Fig. 2 and 3 schematically show a front view of the electrical outlet with the front panel removed, on the one hand in the cover and on the other hand in the open position, as described in detail below. As these figures can be removed, the electrical socket 1 a socket housing 3 with a only in Fig. 1 shown front panel 4 and a protective cover 5 on. At the time of the Fig. 3 apparent electrical socket 1, the protective cover 5 is removed, so that a spring 6 is visible, with the protective cover 5 is folded with not plugged plug 2 elastically on the insertion opening 6 of the electrical outlet.

As Fig. 3 removable, four load contacts 7 are arranged in the socket housing 3, which are coverable in pairs by a respective cover 8. How to compare the Fig. 2 with the Fig. 3 Removable, the covering devices between the in Fig. 2 illustrated cover position and in Fig. 3 shown opening position movable. In the covering position, the two cover devices 8 each cover two load contacts 7, so that they come from the plug side, ie from the side forth, in which a provided for the electrical socket 1 plug 2 can be inserted into the socket, are accessible.

The electrical socket 1 has further contacts 17, for which no covering device is provided. In addition, a in the insertion and opposite displaceable centering 23 is provided. This is arranged in a portion of the outer edge of the insertion, the electrical socket 1 and there movably attached to the socket housing 3. The centering aid 23 is provided with a return spring, not shown, which exerts a force against the insertion direction on the centering aid 23.

For the actual cover of the load contacts 7, the two cover devices 8 each have a cover element 9. The two cover elements 9 thus ensure the actual mechanical cover of the load contacts 7, so that they are not accessible from the plug side of the electrical socket 1 forth in the covering position. The cover devices 8 each have, in addition to the respective cover element 9, two locking elements 10, such as Fig. 5 removable. The locking elements 10 are configured as shown in detail in FIG Fig. 4a and 4b shown.

The Fig. 4a and 4b is insofar removed that a respective locking element 10 has a button 11 and a pawl 12. Between the button 11 and the pawl 12, the locking element 10 has a first elastic arm 13. This first elastic arm 13 is provided with a support 14 to which the pawl 12 is connected. In addition, a connected to the button 11 second elastic arm 15 is provided, which in a Support 16 ends. The elasticity of the arms 13, 15 is achieved here by the fact that the locking element 10 is made entirely of an elastic plastic.

From the already mentioned Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a cover 8 of the presently described electrical socket 1 according to the preferred embodiment of the invention can be removed from below. From below, so from the direction of insertion of the electrical socket 1 opposite direction, two locking elements 10 are inserted into the cover 9 of the cover 8, in a respective receiving opening 17. These receiving openings 17 each have a connected to her and in particular the Fig. 6 and 7 removable passage opening 18 into which the respective button 11 of the locking elements 10 is inserted. The through holes 18 are upwards, so the plug side of the electrical socket 1 out, open, so that the tops of the inserted into the respective through hole 18 button 11 are kraftbeaufschlagbar from the plug side of the electrical socket 1 ago.

In each case, a locking element 10 is inserted into the receiving openings 17 and through openings 18, in such a way that the locking elements 10 with their respective support 16 at the end of the second elastic arm 15 on an abutment 19 in a lateral end portion of a respective through hole 18 of the cover. 8 rest.

The actual operation of the cover 8 for unlocking and subsequent transfer of the Covering position in the open position, namely the transfer of the pawl 12 of a Verrellelungselements 10 from its locking position into its unlocked position and thus enabled movement of the cover 8, in particular the Fig. 6 and 7 removable. These show in a partial section of the electrical socket 1 according to the presently described preferred embodiment of the invention together with a direction indicated by dashed lines plug 2, as it comes to the unlocking and displacement. As sectional views show the Fig. 6 and 7 Of course, only one locking element 10. The other locking member 10 of the cover 8 is operated in the same manner.

It shows the Fig. 6 the plug 2 before the start of the plug-in operation in a state in which the plug 2, the top of the button 11 shown there of the locking element 10 is not touched and thus the push button 11 also not yet subjected to force. Fig. 7 is then a state removable, in which the plug 2 had already acted on the surface of the probe 11 with force, so that it has come to the unlocking position of the locking element 10 shown there and already a shift of the cover 8 is done with its cover 9 radially outward is. Thus, the load contact 7 shown there is accessible from the plug side of the electrical socket 1 ago. In detail, the procedure when plugging the plug 2 into the electrical socket 1 is as follows.

After opening the protective cover 5, the plug 2 is positioned with its mating face below the centering aid 23. This ensures that in the following plug-in operation all four buttons 11 of the two Covering devices 8 are taken from corresponding locations of the mating face of the plug 2 at the same time.

Im out Fig. 6 apparent unloaded state of the probe 11, so if this is not yet acted upon by the plug 2 of the plug side of the electrical socket 1 ago, the pawl 12 of the locking member 10 engages in a locking opening 21 formed in the socket housing 3 of the electrical socket 1 is. This prevents that the cover 9 of the cover 8, within which the locking element 10 is arranged with the pawl 12, radially outwardly, in Fig. 6 so to the right, can move.

However, if it comes to the fact that the top of the button 11 is acted upon with force, namely by a corresponding region of the mating face of the plug 2 during insertion, it causes the button 11 is pressed down, causing it to a deformation of the first elastic arm 13 and the second elastic arm 15 of the locking element 10 comes. This elastic deformation of the two arms 13, 15 leads on the one hand to a spring force that pushes the button 11 back up, namely, that the first elastic arm 13 with the support 14 at the formed by a portion of the socket housing 3 abutment 20th supported and that the second elastic arm 15 is supported with its support 16 on the counter-bearing 19 formed in the receiving opening 7 of the locking element 10. In addition, pivoted on the underside of the cover means 8, the pawl 12 from the locking opening 21 and is thus transferred from the locking position to the unlocked position.

Upon further insertion of the plug 2 then provides the tapered surface 24 of the cover 9 for a displacement of the cover 8 radially outward. The cover 8 is doing on the from the Fig. 6 and 8th apparent 22 led.

The now relieved button 11 can not be pushed back in this position by the spring restoring forces of the locking elements 10, since the pawls 12 can no longer immerse in the unlocked position in the sliding plane. Due to the displacement of the covering devices 8 radially outwards, the pawls 12 are no longer located above the locking openings 21, so that pivoting back into the initial position corresponding to the locking position is not possible. The locking elements 10 remain tensioned by the two elastic arms 13, 15, which rest with their supports 14, 16 on a part of the socket housing 3 and the cover 8, respectively.

When pulling the plug 2, the spring forces due to the elastic arms 13, 15 of the locking element 10 and the springs of the centering aid 23, not shown, and provide a Fig. 8 apparent return spring 25 for the cover 8 that all parts automatically return to the starting position.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

electrical outlet

2

plug

3

socket housing

4

front panel

5

protective cover

6

feather

7

load contacts

8th

cover

9

cover

10

locking element

11

button

12

pawl

13

first elastic arm

14

In stock

15

second elastic arm

16

In stock

17

receiving opening

18

Through opening

19

Counter bearing for support of the second elastic arm

20

Counter bearing for support of the first elastic arm

21

locking opening

22

guide

23

centering

24

bevelled surface of the cover

25

return spring

Claims (7)

1. An electrical socket, in particular a charging socket, for electrically connecting to a plug (2), having:

   a socket housing (3),

   a load contact (7) arranged in the socket housing (3), and

   a cover device (8) wherein

   the cover device (8) has a cover element (9) for covering the load contact (7) on the plug-in side when no plug (2) is inserted, in that

   the cover element (9) is movable between a covering position and an open position, wherein

   in the covering position, the cover element (9) covers the load contact (7) on the plug-in side and in the open position provides access to the load contact (7) on the plug-in side,

   the cover device (8) has a locking element (10) that is provided with a switch (11) and a catch (12), wherein

   the switch (11) is arranged such that it may be acted upon by force from the socket side of the socket,

   characterized in that the catch (12) is movable between a locking position and an unlocking position,

   in the locking position the catch (12) engages in a locking opening provided in the socket housing (3),

   in the unlocking position the catch (12) is guided out of the locking opening, and

   the switch (11) is connected to the catch (12) such that, by means of force acting on the switch (11) on the plug-in side, the catch (12) may be transferred from the locking position to the unlocking position,

   the locking element (10) is designed such that a movement by the switch (11) in the plug-in direction or opposing the plug-in direction leads to the catch (12) pivoting, and

   between the switch (11) and the catch (12) the locking element (10) has an elastic arm (13) with a support surface (14) with which the locking element (10) rests on a countersurface (20) provided on the socket housing (3).
2. The electrical socket according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking element (10) has a second elastic arm (15) that is connected to the switch and that has a support surface (16) with which the locking element (10) rests on a countersurface (19) that is preferably provided on the cover element (9).
3. The electrical socket according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover element (9) has a through-opening (18) in which the switch (11) of the locking element (10) is inserted from the side opposing the socket side.
4. The electrical socket according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover element (9) has a surface (24) adjacent to the switch (11) on the plug-in side and beveled such that the cover element (9) is displaced when a force on the plug-in side acts on the beveled surface (24).
5. The electrical socket according to claim 4, characterized in that the bevel of the beveled surface (24) runs towards the center of the socket housing (3) so that when the beveled surface (24) is acted upon by a force on the plug-in side, the cover element (9) is displaced towards the exterior of the socket housing (3).
6. The electrical socket according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that two load contacts (7) are provided that may be covered by means of a common cover element (9).
7. The electrical socket according to claim 6, characterized in that a plurality of load contact pairs (7) are provided, each of which may be covered by a common cover element (9).

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