EP4054022A1 - Socket with increased personal protection and method for operating such a socket - Google Patents

Abstract

For the purpose of creating a socket 1 with increased personal protection, a socket 1 with a central piece 3 surrounded by a design frame 2 and a base part 8 fixed to a support ring 7 for connecting a first connection for an outer conductor and a second connection for a neutral conductor, which can be connected to the power supply network, with a power supply unit S being able to be fixed on the base part 8, which on the one hand comes into operative connection with the base part 8 in a contact-making manner and on the other hand is provided for the electrical connection of at least one electrical functional module, the power supply unit S for connecting the at least one electrical functional module has at least one connection socket, in which connection socket a plug connector 6 is used in a contacting manner, with the central piece 3 preferably having an electrical/electronic functional component in the central piece 3 zbare circuit board LA is adjacent, which central piece has 3 openings for the two connections, with a circuit board LE in the base part 8 comprising a sensor X for detecting the insertion depth of plug pins ST to be inserted into the two openings, the socket 1 has an evaluation unit which, for the evaluation, whether the detected insertion depth is correct, is suitable, and the socket 1 is connected to a switchable relay R, which relay R can be switched depending on the detection of the insertion depth or the evaluation.

Description

The invention relates to a socket with increased personal protection with a central piece surrounded by a design frame and a base part fixed to a support ring for connecting a first connection for an outer conductor and a second connection for a neutral conductor, which can be connected to the power supply network, with the base part a power supply unit can be fixed, which on the one hand comes into operative connection with the base part in a contact-making manner and which on the other hand is provided for the electrical connection of at least one electrical functional assembly, wherein the power supply unit has at least one connection socket for connecting the at least one electrical functional assembly, in which connection socket a plug connector is inserted with contact is, which central piece has openings for the two connections. The invention also relates to a method for the switchable operation of such a socket.

Sockets of this type, which are often designed as electrical safety sockets, are generally intended to produce an easily separable electrically conductive connection to a consumer via an appropriately designed plug and, if necessary, an electrical line connected to it. Such electrical protective contact sockets are often provided with a personal or contact protection device. The increased personal protection or contact protection is conventionally realized through the use of a blocking element, which can be designed, for example, as a sliding piece, a rotating piece and so on can. Such a blocking element, which regularly interacts with a spring means, automatically shields the live contact parts of the electrical plug device or mechanically blocks the two plug openings as soon as the plug has been pulled out of the protective contact socket or plug device. This effectively avoids the simple introduction of other objects, also called foreign objects, than the introduction of an associated plug with corresponding plug pins while the blocking element is in its blocking position. Only when a suitable plug is inserted is the blocking element pushed aside in a simple manner, thus releasing the plug openings, so that the plug pins of the suitable plug can properly connect to the live contact parts of the plug and socket device through the two openings in the center piece.

Such an electrical safety socket is through the DE 10 2017 102 548 B3 known. Such an electrical safety socket has a base part equipped with a grounding bracket and is provided for the connection of a plug having corresponding plug pins and grounding contacts. The base part has the contact parts required for contacting the plug pins and earth contacts and for connecting the electrical cable, the base part being equipped with a support and a socket center piece provided for receiving the plug to be connected. A contact protection device is provided which automatically blocks the plug openings provided for the insertion of the two plug pins by means of a blocking element when its blocking position is assumed and only releases it when the two plug pins of the plug are inserted into the plug openings at the same time. Such a design of a contact protection device already provides a high level of protection against Introduction of foreign objects achieved, or touching of electrical contact parts by foreign objects, effectively prevented.

The problem with such protective contact sockets is that the mechanical protection against contact can basically be overcome with relatively simple means, so that the personal protection can be undesirably overridden.

Proceeding from this discussed prior art, the invention is therefore based on the object of creating a socket with increased personal protection, in particular when inserting foreign objects into the plug openings in the center piece provided for inserting the two plug pins.

This problem is solved by a socket, the base part of a printed circuit board comprising a sensor for detecting the insertion depth of plug pins to be inserted into the two openings, the socket having an evaluation unit which is suitable for evaluating whether the detected insertion depth is correct, and which Socket is connected to a switchable relay, which relay can be switched depending on the detection of the insertion depth or the evaluation.

The core idea of the invention is that the socket according to the invention is able to detect the insertion depth of a plug pin inserted into the openings of the center piece using a sensor. The switchable relay to which the socket is connected is switched in such a way that the openings of the two connections (neutral conductor and outer conductor) of the socket are live only when the socket's evaluation unit detects a permissible detected insertion depth of a plug pin. The evaluation is ultimately based on a comparison of the detected insertion depth with a permissible range of insertion depth.

The socket according to the invention with increased personal protection has a central piece surrounded by a design frame and a base part fixed to a support ring for connecting a first connection for an outer conductor and a second connection for a neutral conductor, which can be connected to the power supply network, with a power supply unit on the base part is definable. The power supply unit comes into working contact with the base part on the one hand and is provided on the other hand for the electrical connection of at least one electrical functional assembly. Such a functional module can be, for example, a lighting device or one or more USB connections that are flush with the design frame and are integrated into the center piece that has openings for the two connections.

In order to connect the at least one electrical functional module, the voltage supply unit has at least one connection socket, into which connection socket a plug connector is inserted in a contacting manner.

In addition, such a device has a printed circuit board in the base part, which has at least one sensor for detecting the insertion depth of plug pins to be inserted into the openings of the center piece.

Preferably, such a device according to the invention also has a printed circuit board adjoining the central piece, which has electrical/electronic functional components and can be inserted into the central piece (creates additional installation space for electrical components).

In a particularly preferred embodiment according to the invention, the printed circuit board includes a second sensor for detecting the insertion depth. This further improves the detection of the insertion depth in terms of its reliability. Finally, in order to overcome such a security level, a person would have to insert two foreign objects into the openings of the socket at the same time, which lead to a correct insertion depth within the framework of the evaluation by the evaluation unit.

In a variant of the socket according to the invention, the at least one sensor is designed as one or two short-stroke pushbuttons which are mechanically actuated by the plug pins to be inserted. In a particularly simple, cost-effective and robust manner, this allows the evaluation unit to perform a discrete evaluation as to whether or not the correct insertion depth has been reached.

According to an alternative variant of the socket outlet according to the invention, the at least one sensor is designed as a linear potentiometer, so that a gradual detection of the insertion depth is also made possible. This allows a more detailed analysis of the insertion depth by the evaluation unit, up to sub-millimetre-precise detection of the insertion depth.

In a particularly preferred embodiment according to the invention, the socket includes a transmitter for transmitting the detected insertion depth or a signal corresponding thereto to a terminal device, in particular a mobile terminal device. In this way, for example, warnings can be sent to a parent operating the terminal device if a child presses on the socket outlet in an undesired manner. In a preferred development of this embodiment of the invention, the transmitter is on the printed circuit board arranged radio transmitter, in particular a Bluetooth transmitter, a Zigbee transmitter or a WLAN transmitter.

In a further embodiment according to the invention, the relay is arranged in a socket, in particular in the base part. This makes it possible to ensure in a simple manner that the socket is only live when this is desired, ie: a proper insertion depth has been detected.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the relay is arranged in an actuator connected to the socket. As a result, the user can achieve the desired advantageous effects of the invention, for example, in a simple manner and by retrofitting.

In a further embodiment according to the invention, the socket according to the invention is connected to a relay in the rail-mounted device in the sub-distribution board. If certain acceleration patterns or positions are detected, this allows entire circuits, for example socket circuits within a room, to be switched off without interrupting the lighting circuit. In this way it is achieved in an advantageous manner that the persons concerned are protected without them standing in the dark and possibly being injured by accidents.

In a particularly preferred configuration according to the invention, a flexible printed circuit board section which has the plug connector and can be spread apart for mounting the socket outlet, can be deflected out of the plane of the printed circuit board and extends from the printed circuit board. This flexible printed circuit board section is provided with a receptacle for a receptacle section, which extends in the direction of the voltage supply unit, of a housing part connected to the printed circuit board for the electrical connection of the connector of the printed circuit board is joined to the connection socket of the power supply unit. It is particularly advantageous in this configuration that the flexible printed circuit board section makes additional installation space available without impairing the installation depth and the assembly effort. In this respect, this embodiment of the invention is a particularly space-saving embodiment that is easy to produce and allows different electronic components to be accommodated on different printed circuit boards in a space-saving manner.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the socket has an illumination device which is integrated into the center piece and is designed to emit a corresponding optical signal if a permissible insertion depth is detected. The result of this is that the user recognizes directly whether a plug has been correctly inserted.

• Erfassen der Beschleunigung und/oder Positionslage mittels des mindestens einen Sensors in Folge einer ersten Betätigung der Steckdose 1,
• Auswerten durch eine Auswerteeinheit, ob die Betätigung ordnungsgemäß ist,
• Einschalten des Relais, so dass die Energieversorgung der Steckdose, freigegeben wird, falls die erste Betätigung ordnungsgemäß ist, während andernfalls keine Freigabe erfolgt,

• Erfassen der Einstecktiefe mittels des mindestens einen Sensors in Folge einer zweiten Betätigung der Steckdose,
• Ausschalten des Relais, so dass die Energieversorgung der Steckdose unterbrochen wird, falls die zweite Betätigung ordnungsgemäß ist.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for the switchable operation of such a socket according to the invention, the signal being routed to a relay connected to the socket for switching a circuit of the building installation technology, comprising the following steps:

• Detection of the acceleration and/or position by means of the at least one sensor as a result of a first actuation of the socket 1,
• Evaluation by an evaluation unit as to whether the actuation is correct,
• Switching on the relay so that the power supply to the socket is released if the first actuation is correct, while otherwise no release takes place,

• Detection of the insertion depth by means of the at least one sensor as a result of a second operation of the socket,
• Switching off the relay so that the power supply to the socket is interrupted if the second operation is correct.

It goes without saying that, according to the invention, actuation of the socket means, in particular, inserting or removing objects into the openings of the center piece, in particular plugging in or pulling out a plug.

Such a method according to the invention ensures that a regularly de-energized state is maintained only for the operation of the electrical/electronic socket outlet according to the invention.

The evaluation as to whether the actuation is correct can be carried out, for example, in an evaluation unit in which specific insertion depths (discrete or gradual areas) are stored, with the detected insertion depths being compared with the stored insertion depths.

In a particularly preferred and reliable embodiment of the method according to the invention, the evaluation of the evaluation unit includes a verification that the insertion depth detected by the at least one sensor is constant over a period of time, for example in the range from 200 ms to 2000 ms, and only in this case the relay (R) is switched on. This ensures in a simple way that usually not static but dynamic tests, the built-in personal protection are doomed to failure.

In a further development of the method according to the invention, in which two sensors are used to detect the insertion depth, the reliability of personal protection is improved even further in that the detected insertion depth is compared with one another by the sensors in the evaluation unit and only if the deviation of the two insertion depths is a specifiable one falls below the relay (R) is switched on.

Fig. 1:

eine perspektivische Explosionsdarstellung einer Ausgestaltung der erfindungsgemäßen Steckdose mit Aufsatz und Einsatz,

Fig. 2:

eine Explosionsdarstellung des Einsatzes der in Fig. 1 gezeigten erfindungsgemäßen Steckdose,

Fig. 3:

eine Darstellung der erfindungsgemäßen Steckdose in einer Draufsicht,

Fig. 4:

eine Darstellung der erfindungsgemäßen Steckdose in einer Querschnittsdarstellung, wobei der Sensor ein Drucksensor ist und

Fig. 5:

eine Darstellung der erfindungsgemäßen Steckdose in einer Querschnittsdarstellung, wobei der Sensor ein Magnetsensor ist.

The invention is described below with reference to the attached figures using various exemplary embodiments. Show it:

Figure 1:

a perspective exploded view of an embodiment of the socket according to the invention with attachment and insert,

Figure 2:

an exploded view of the use of the in 1 shown socket according to the invention,

Figure 3:

a representation of the socket according to the invention in a plan view,

Figure 4:

a representation of the socket according to the invention in a cross-sectional view, wherein the sensor is a pressure sensor and

Figure 5:

a representation of the socket according to the invention in a cross-sectional view, wherein the sensor is a magnetic sensor.

In the various figures, the same parts are always provided with the same reference symbols and are therefore usually named or mentioned only once.

In the figure 1 In addition to a design frame 2, the socket outlet 1 according to the invention shown in perspective in an exploded view comprises an attachment A and an insert E. The attachment A comprises a central piece 3, a number of electrical/electronic functional components (in particular a radio transmitter and/or an LED lighting device 5 and/or or a printed circuit board LA which can be inserted into the central piece 3 and has evaluation electronics, a housing part GF which is connected to the associated recess in the printed circuit board LA, for example by means of snap-locking.

It goes how figure 1 shows, preferably from the printed circuit board LA, a flexible printed circuit board section F that can be spread out from the plane of the printed circuit board LA and has a connector 6 for mounting the socket outlet 1 according to the invention. This flexible printed circuit board section F is joined to a receptacle of a receiving section, which extends in the direction of the voltage supply unit S, of the housing part GF connected to the printed circuit board LA. The flexible printed circuit board section F offers the advantage that electrical/electronic functional components can be connected to the printed circuit board LA without loss of installation space. This is advantageously accompanied by a particularly effective utilization of the available installation volume.

As also in figure 1 shown, the insert E includes a support ring 7, a base part 8 and a power supply unit S. The power supply unit S is designed to be connected to a power supply of a building installation technology and to convert the provided voltage into a required supply voltage, for example 3.5V. Furthermore, at least one sensor X, here: two sensors X, is housed in the base part 8 of the insert E, which are suitable for detecting the insertion depth of plug pins ST to be inserted into the openings of the center piece 3 . The sensors X are localized on the printed circuit board LE in the base part 8, while the printed circuit board LE is accommodated in a housing formed from a housing base G and a housing cover GD. In addition, the socket 1 has an evaluation unit that is suitable for evaluating whether the detected insertion depth is correct. In addition, the socket 1 is connected to a switchable relay R, which relay R can be switched depending on the detection of the insertion depth or the evaluation. As in figure 1 shown, the relay R is arranged, for example, in the base part 8 or adjacent to the printed circuit board LE.

the inside figure 2 Insert E shown shows sensors X in more detail. These sensors X are designed as two short-stroke buttons that are mechanically actuated by the plug pins ST to be inserted and, in conjunction with the evaluation unit, provide discrete information as to whether the detected insertion depth is correct.

figure 3 shows the socket 1 according to the invention, in particular the insert E, in a plan view. The two sensors X can be seen in this. The printed circuit board LE accommodated in the housing and on which the sensors X are arranged is also shown. Such a housing allows a high degree of modularity to be achieved.

figure 4 visualizes the socket 1 according to the invention in cross section, once before reaching the required, proper insertion depth of a plug pin ST (left) and once upon reaching the same (right). When plugging in the connector pin ST, the sensor X is mechanically compressed, the sensor X being a pressure sensor. This compression, which results in a pressure, can be converted, for example, via the evaluation unit into a corresponding signal for switching the relay R arranged on the wall side of the printed circuit board LE.

In figure 5 is a representation of a socket 1 according to the invention in a cross-sectional representation, wherein the sensor X is a magnetic sensor that detects the extent to which the magnet M located on a plug pin ST approaches the sensor X in the insertion direction and the insertion depth is thus determined. For this purpose, the signal can be routed to the printed circuit board LE via a cable connected to the sensor X.

The invention is described using exemplary embodiments. Without departing from the scope of the applicable claims, there are numerous other ways for a person skilled in the art to implement them, without this having to be explained in detail within the scope of these statements.

Reference List

1

Power outlet

2

design frame

3

centerpiece

4

recess

5

lighting device

6

connector

7

carrying ring

8th

base part

A

essay

E

mission

f

flex circuit board section

G

caseback

DG

housing cover

GF

housing part

L.A

circuit board

LE

circuit board

M

magnet

R

relay

S

power supply unit

ST

connector pin

X

sensor

Claims (15)

Socket with increased personal protection with a central piece (3) surrounded by a design frame (2) and a base part (8) fixed to a support ring (7) for connecting a first connection for an outer conductor and a second connection for a neutral conductor can be connected to the energy supply network, with a voltage supply unit (S) being able to be fixed on the base part (8), which on the one hand comes into operative connection with the base part (8) in a contact-making manner and which on the other hand is provided for the electrical connection of at least one electrical functional module, the voltage supply unit (S ) for connecting the at least one electrical functional module has at least one connection socket, in which connection socket a plug connector (6) is inserted in a contacting manner, which central piece (3) has openings for the two connections, characterized in that a printed circuit board (LE) in the base part (8 ) a sensor (X) to detect ion of the insertion depth of plug pins (ST) to be inserted into the two openings, the socket (1) has an evaluation unit which is suitable for evaluating whether the detected insertion depth is correct, and the socket (1) is connected to a switchable relay (R ) is connected, which relay (R) can be switched depending on the detection of the insertion depth or the evaluation. Socket according to Claim 1, characterized in that the printed circuit board (LE) comprises a second sensor (X) for detecting the insertion depth. Socket according to one of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one sensor (X) is designed as one or two short-stroke pushbuttons which are mechanically actuated by the plug pins (ST) to be inserted. Socket according to one of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one sensor (X) is designed as a linear potentiometer. Socket according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a printed circuit board (LA) which has electrical/electronic functional components and can be inserted into the central piece (3) adjoins the central piece (3). Socket according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the socket (1) comprises a transmitter for transmitting the detected insertion depth or a signal corresponding thereto to a terminal, in particular a mobile terminal. Socket according to Claim 6, characterized in that the transmitter is a radio transmitter arranged on the printed circuit board (LA), in particular a Bluetooth transmitter, a Zigbee transmitter or a WLAN transmitter. Socket according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the relay (R) is arranged in the base part (11). Socket according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the socket (1) is connected to an actuator which includes the relay (R). Socket according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the socket (1) is connected to a relay (R) in the modular installation device in the sub-distribution board (12). Socket according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a flexible circuit board section (F) which has the plug connector (6) and can be spread out for mounting the socket (1) and can be deflected out of the plane of the circuit board (L) extends from the circuit board (LA). , which flexible printed circuit board section (F) with a receptacle for a receiving section, extending in the direction of the power supply unit (S), of a housing part (GF) connected to the printed circuit board (LA) for the electrical connection of the plug connector (6) of the printed circuit board (LA) to the connection socket of the power supply unit (S) is joined. Socket according to one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the socket (1) has an illumination device (5) integrated into the central piece (3) which is designed to emit a corresponding optical signal if a permissible insertion depth is detected. Method for the switchable operation of a socket according to one of Claims 1 to 12, the signal being sent to a socket (1) connected relay (R) is routed to switch a circuit of the building installation technology, comprising the steps: - detecting the insertion depth by means of the at least one sensor (X) as a result of a first actuation of the socket (1), - Evaluation by an evaluation unit as to whether the actuation is correct, - switching on the relay (R) so that the power supply of the socket (1) is enabled if the first actuation is correct, otherwise it is not enabled, - detecting the insertion depth by means of the at least one sensor (X) as a result of a second actuation of the socket (1), - Switching off the relay (R) so that the power supply to the socket (1) is interrupted if the second actuation is correct. Method according to Claim 13, characterized in that the evaluation of the evaluation unit comprises a verification that the insertion depth detected by the at least one sensor (X) is constant over a period of time, for example in the range from 200ms to 2000ms, and only in this case the relay (R) is turned on. The method according to any one of claims 13 or 14 in their dependent reference to claim 2, characterized in that the detected insertion depth by the sensors (X) with each other in the Evaluation unit is compared and only if the deviation of the two insertion depths falls below a predetermined value, the relay (R) is turned on.

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