EP4142069B1 - Socket device for a vehicle - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a socket device, in particular for a vehicle, according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Such socket devices are used, for example, in mobile homes and caravans as external sockets or feed-in sockets to supply the vehicle with electrical power. In this case, a base element is usually provided, for example in the form of a recess or the like, on or in which a socket is arranged for establishing an electrical plug connection with a plug, for example a CEE plug. This plug comprises a plug cover, which can be moved between a closed position in which the contacts of the plug are covered, and an open position in which the plug can be brought into contact with the socket. A safety device with a safety element is arranged on the socket, which, when the plug is plugged into the socket, is engaged behind by a corresponding safety element of the plug cover in the open position, whereby the plug is secured against being pulled out of the socket.

Especially when the socket is located within a recess of the base element, it is often relatively difficult to remove the safety element located on the plug cover from its engagement or rear grip with the plug inserted. the safety element on the socket side in order to pull the plug out of the socket and thus disconnect the electrical connection.

EN 10 2020 005548 A1 discloses a socket device according to the preamble of claim 1. EP 1 317 024 A2 , US 2002/115319 A1 and EN 10 2020 124092 A1 reveal other relevant socket-outlet facilities.

The object of the present invention is to provide a socket device of the type mentioned at the outset, by means of which the plug inserted into the socket can be removed in an improved manner and the plug connection with the socket can be released.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a socket device with the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments with favorable further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The socket device according to the invention, which can be used in particular for a vehicle but possibly also for other applications, comprises a base element which, for example, forms a recess in which a socket is arranged to create an electrical plug connection with a plug. The socket comprises a safety device with a safety element which, when the plug is plugged into the socket, is engaged behind by a corresponding safety element of a plug cover which is in a secured position and is mounted in the plug, whereby the plug is secured against being pulled out of the socket. The safety element on the side of the socket, which engages with the safety element on the side of the plug cover of the plug when the plug is fully plugged in, thus creates a reliable plug connection between the socket and the plug which functions extremely reliably and is protected against misuse in a particularly favorable manner.

In order to enable the electrical plug connection between the socket and the plug to be released in a particularly reliable and safe manner, a release device is arranged on the socket according to the invention, which can be moved between a rest position and a release position, whereby when the plug is plugged into the socket, the plug cover and the securing element arranged on the plug cover can be moved from the securing position, in which the plug is secured against being pulled out of the socket, into a release position, in which which the safety element of the plug cover comes out of engagement with the safety element of the safety device of the socket, whereby the plug can be pulled out of the socket. Accordingly, according to the invention, the release device can be used to release or remove the rear grip of the safety element of the plug cover from the safety element of the safety device of the socket and thus the plug cover can be moved into a position in which the plug can be pulled out of the socket and thus the electrical plug connection between the plug and the socket can be released.

The release device has the particular advantage that the rear grip between the plug cover-side safety element and the socket-side safety element can be released in an extremely convenient manner, without, for example, having to manually reach into the cramped conditions within the base element, which is designed as a recess, for example. In addition, this results in a particularly safe release of the rear grip of the plug cover-side safety element and the socket-side safety element, so that the operator cannot receive an electric shock or the like. Overall, the release device therefore makes it possible to release the plug connection between the socket and the plug in a particularly convenient and safe manner.

The present socket device is intended in particular for installation on a wall of a vehicle in the form of a motorhome or a camper van or caravan. Of course, other mobile accommodations or other types of vehicles can also be equipped with the flap device. Alternatively, the component can also be used on walls of other facilities such as buildings or the like.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it has proven to be advantageous if the release device is formed by a slider which can be moved between the rest position and the release position and which has a release slope along which a component area of the plug cover, in particular the securing element, can be moved when the slider is moved from the rest position to the release position and thereby the plug cover and the The safety element can be moved from the safety position into a release position in which the safety element on the plug cover side is disengaged from the safety element on the socket side. A slider of this type can be operated particularly intuitively and reliably and allows the engagement between the safety element on the plug cover side and that on the socket side to be released without significant effort.

Furthermore, it has proven to be advantageous if the slider can be moved between the rest position and the release position along an at least essentially linear sliding guide. This allows the slider to be guided particularly easily, and it can also be operated manually with extremely little effort.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the release device is assigned a handle by means of which the release device can be moved manually from the rest position into the release position and thereby the plug cover and the securing element arranged on the plug cover can be moved from the securing position into the release position. Such manual actuation of the release device or the slider has the particular advantage that the socket device can be constructed in an extremely simple and reliable manner.

However, it is to be considered as included in the scope of the invention that the release device or the slide can optionally also be designed to be displaceable between the rest position and the release position by means of an actuator, for example electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically. In principle, it would also be conceivable to design the release device or the slide to be remotely actuated. For example, it would be conceivable to control the release device or the slide by means of a remote control or a mobile device, for example a mobile phone or a tablet.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the release device is assigned a spring element, by means of which the release device can be moved from the release position to the rest position. The spring element can thus, for example, apply a force which counteracts the manual actuation of the release device or the slide from the rest position to the release position or, after manual actuation, moves the slide from the release position back to the rest position. This results in a particularly simple design of the release device or the slide.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the safety element of the socket comprises at least one safety bar with a plug-in slope, along which the safety element of the plug cover can be moved when plugged into the socket, thereby allowing the plug cover to be opened further. This makes it particularly easy to plug the plug into the socket.

In this context, it has been shown to be further advantageous if the mounting slope of the securing bar is followed by a sloping mounting slope along which the securing element of the plug cover can be moved when plugged into the socket, thereby allowing the plug cover to be moved towards its closed position. In the manner described, a first position of the plug is already achieved by means of the plug cover on the socket.

In this context, it has proven to be further advantageous if the sloping mounting slope of the securing bar is followed by a securing flank, against which the securing element of the plug cover rests after the plug has been fully inserted into the socket. This makes it particularly easy and convenient to secure the plug to the socket using the plug cover.

Furthermore, it has proven to be advantageous if the sloping mounting bevel of the safety bar is adapted to the incline of the release bevel of the slider. This ensures a particularly favourable transfer of the Guiding of the securing element on the side of the plug cover between the release bevel and the sloping attachment bevel of the securing bar.

Finally, it has been shown to be advantageous if the socket device is arranged in a flap device with the base element carrying the socket, by which at least one recess receiving the socket is delimited, and with a flap which is held on the base element so as to be movable relative to the base element between at least one closed position covering at least a partial area of the opening or recess and thereby closing it, and at least one open position exposing the partial area of the recess. This results in a particularly advantageous, hidden arrangement of the socket behind the flap.

Further features of the invention emerge from the claims, the figures and the description of the figures. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and/or shown alone in the figures can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own.

Fig. 1

eine ausschnittsweise Perspektivansicht auf eine erfindungsgemäße Steckdoseneinrichtung mit einem einen Rahmen aufweisenden Basiselement, an welchem eine Steckdose zum Herstellen einer elektrischen Steckverbindung mit einem vorliegend nicht gezeigten Stecker angeordnet ist;

Fig. 2

eine Perspektivansicht auf eine Klappeneinrichtung, an welcher die Steckdoseneinrichtung angeordnet ist und welche das die Steckdose tragende Basiselement umfasst, durch welches eine die Steckdose aufnehmende Mulde begrenzt ist und welches eine Klappe lagert, die zwischen einer die Mulde verschließenden Schließstellung und einer hier gezeigten Offenstellung verschwenkbar ist;

Fig. 3a, 3b

jeweilige ausschnittsweise Perspektivdarstellungen der Steckdoseneinrichtung gemäß Fig. 1, wobei in die Steckdose vorliegend ein Stecker zur Herstellung einer elektrischen Steckverbindung eingesteckt ist, wobei an dem Stecker ein Steckerdeckel mit einem Sicherungselement angeordnet ist, welches bei hier vollständig eingestecktem Stecker ein Sicherungselement einer Sicherungseinrichtung der Steckdose hintergreift, wodurch der Stecker gegen einen Abzug an der Steckdose gesichert ist;

Fig. 4

eine Schnittansicht durch die Steckdoseneinrichtung;

Fig. 5

eine ausschnittsweise Perspektivansicht der Steckdoseneinrichtung analog zu Fig. 3a und 3b; und

Fig. 6a, 6b

jeweilige Schnittansichten durch die Steckdoseneinrichtung analog zu Fig. 4a, wobei die als Schieber ausgebildete Löseeinrichtung in Fig. 5a in ihrer Ruhestellung und in Fig. 5b in ihrer Freigabestellung angeordnet ist.

The invention will now be explained in more detail using a preferred embodiment and with reference to the drawings.

Fig.1

a partial perspective view of a socket device according to the invention with a base element having a frame on which a socket is arranged for establishing an electrical plug connection with a plug (not shown here);

Fig.2

a perspective view of a flap device on which the socket device is arranged and which comprises the base element carrying the socket, by which a recess receiving the socket is delimited and which supports a flap, the can be pivoted between a closed position closing the trough and an open position shown here;

Fig. 3a, 3b

respective partial perspective views of the socket equipment according to Fig.1 , wherein in the present case a plug is inserted into the socket for establishing an electrical plug connection, wherein a plug cover with a securing element is arranged on the plug, which, when the plug is fully inserted here, engages behind a securing element of a securing device of the socket, whereby the plug is secured against being pulled out of the socket;

Fig.4

a sectional view through the socket device;

Fig.5

a partial perspective view of the socket installation analogous to Fig. 3a and 3b ; and

Fig. 6a, 6b

respective sectional views through the socket device analogous to Fig. 4a, wherein the release device designed as a slide is arranged in its rest position in Fig. 5a and in its release position in Fig. 5b.

In Fig.1 is a partial perspective view of a socket device for a vehicle, for example a mobile home or a caravan. The socket device comprises a base element 10 with a frame 12, which is at least substantially rectangular in shape. While the base element 10 is connected to the frame 12 in Fig.1 shown cut both horizontally and vertically, is in Fig.2 the base element 10 with the frame 12 is shown in a corresponding perspective view. Here, the socket device is arranged in a flap device, which in addition to the base element 10 in particular comprises a flap 14, which consists of the in Fig.2 shown open position into a closed position in which a recess 16 formed by the base element 10 or the frame 12 is completely closed.

Within this trough 16 is - as can be seen from Fig.1 can be seen - a socket 18 can be inserted and fastened as an insert part in an opening 20 provided for this purpose in the rear area of the frame 10. Since the socket 18 is designed as an insert part, other types of sockets or connection elements or the like can also be inserted into the opening 20 of the frame 12 of the base element 10. In the present case, the recess 16 within which the socket 18 is arranged can be completely and tightly closed by means of the flap 14. If necessary, however, only a portion of the recess 16 can be closed by means of the flap and made accessible by opening it.

In the present case, the base element 10 with the socket device can be attached within a corresponding recess in an invisible wall, for example in a vehicle such as a mobile home or a caravan. This makes it possible to use the socket device or the socket 18 as an external socket or feed-in socket, via which the mobile home or caravan can be supplied with electrical power. In the present case, a CEE plug in particular can be plugged into the socket and thus the mobile home or caravan can be supplied with electrical energy with 230 V voltage and, for example, 16 A current. Of course, other performance values are also conceivable here.

As is particularly evident from Fig.1 can be seen, the socket 18 has a plug-in receptacle 22 with corresponding contacts 24, to which the plug 30 can be plugged in a manner described in more detail below. Furthermore, in the area on the top or left side of the plug-in receptacle 22, a safety device 26 and a release device 28 can be seen, the functions of which are explained below in conjunction with the Figures 3a to 6b will be explained in more detail.

In the Figures 3a and 3b is in a respective partial perspective view analogous to Fig.1 the socket device can be seen, whereby in particular the base element and the socket 18 are shown both in horizontal section and in vertical section. First of all, from the Figures 3a and 3b It can be seen that the plug receptacle 22 of the socket 18 contains corresponding plugs, in In this case, a CEE plug 30 is plugged in. A bearing device 32 is arranged on the top of the plug, on which a plug cover 34 is held on the plug 30 so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis S. In this case, the plug cover 34 is shown in an open position in which contact can be made between the plug-side contacts and the socket-side contacts 24.

In contrast to the representation according to Fig. 3a In the view according to 3b, the plug cover 34 is shown in section. This allows a view of an inner side 36 of the plug cover, which faces the plug-side contacts in the closed position of the plug cover 34. In the area of this inner side 36, a securing element 38 can be seen, which in the present case is designed as a web, which is integrally formed on the plug cover 34 made of plastic. This web or this securing element 38 engages behind - as is particularly evident from Fig. 3b can be seen - when the plug 30 is fully inserted, a safety element 40 of the safety device 26 on the side of the socket 18.

As is particularly evident from Fig.1 As can be seen, this safety element 40 of the safety device 26 is formed on the side of the socket 18 by two safety webs 42, 44, although theoretically just one safety web is sufficient. The two safety webs 40, 42 run in the direction of extension of the plug receptacle 22 of the socket 18 or in the direction of insertion of the plug 30. The two safety webs 20, 44 each have a plug-in slope 46 along which the safety element 38 of the plug cover 34 can be moved when the plug 30 is plugged into the socket 18 and the plug cover 34 can be opened further as a result. The plug-in slope 46 rises here - as can be seen in particular from Fig.1 can be seen - in the direction of extension of the plug-in receptacle 22 from front to back and linearly.

Accordingly, when plugging the plug 30 into the socket 18, after the plug cover 34 has been manually moved from its closed position into an open position, the plug can be placed on the top of the plug receptacle 22 for plugging the plug 30 into the socket 18, wherein when plugging in the plug 30, the plug cover-side securing element 38 is pushed along the As a result of the increase in these bevels 46, the plug cover 34 is opened further in the manner described.

The respective attachment bevels 46 of the securing webs 42, 44 are each followed by a sloping attachment bevel 48, so that the two securing webs 42, 44 are each somewhat triangular in shape with a respective tip 50 which divides the attachment bevel 46 from the respective sloping attachment bevel 48.

If the plug cover-side securing element 38 passes over the end of the attachment bevel 46 and over the tip into the area of the downwardly sloping attachment bevel 48 during the insertion movement of the plug 30 into the socket 18, the plug cover 34 moves along the sloping attachment bevel 48 of the securing webs 42, 44 during the further course of the insertion movement and thereby causes the plug cover 34 to be slightly displaced again in the direction of its closed position.

At the end of the respective sloping attachment slope 48 there is a securing flank 50, against which the securing element 38 of the plug cover 34 rests after the fully inserted position of the plug 30 in the socket 18. In other words, when the plug 30 is inserted or pushed into the socket 18, the securing element 38 on the plug cover side moves along the sloping respective attachment slope 48 of the two securing webs 42, 44 until the respective securing flank 52 of the corresponding securing web 42 or 44 is reached, after which the securing element 38 engages behind the securing element 40 - which is formed by the two securing webs 42, 44.

The engaging arrangement of the securing element 38 on the side of the plug cover 34 with the securing element 40 on the side of the socket 18 is particularly Fig. 3b as well as Fig.4 , which is a sectional view through the socket device. The engagement of the plug cover-side securing element 38 with the socket-side securing element 40 thus the electrical plug connection is strain-relieved or secured against the plug 30 being pulled out of the socket 18.

In order to be able to disengage the plug cover-side securing element 38 from the socket-side securing element 40 in a particularly simple manner in order to release the electrical plug connection between the plug 30 and the socket 18, the release device 28 already mentioned is provided in the present case. This release device 28 comprises - as is particularly evident from Fig.1 , 3a , 3b and 5 can be seen - a slide 54 or is designed as a slide 54, which is between a Fig.1 , 3a and 3b shown rest position and one in Fig.5 shown release position can be moved or moved linearly. For this purpose, the slide 54 is accommodated in a corresponding guide 56 of the socket 18 and supported against a spring element 58. The spring element 58 acts with a plunger 60 of the slide 54 and is accommodated in a corresponding receptacle 62 of the socket 18.

As is particularly evident from Fig.1 As can be seen, the slide 54 has a release bevel 64 formed in one piece with the rest of the slide 54 adjacent to the two securing webs 42, 44 of the securing element 40 of the socket 18. This release bevel 64 is adapted in its inclination to the sloping attachment bevel 48 of the securing webs 42, 44.

If the slide 54 is now manually operated in the area of a handle 66 and subjected to such a pressure force that it is released from the Fig. 3a and 3b shown rest position into the Fig.5 shown release position, in which the spring element 58, in the present case a corresponding coil spring, is compressed accordingly. The displacement of the slide 54 in the direction away from the plug 30 consequently also causes a displacement of the release slope 64, which thereby passes under the securing element 30 designed as a web on the side of the plug cover 34. A displacement or shifting of the slide 54 from the rest position into the release position consequently causes the web or the securing element 38 on the side of the plug cover 34 to slide along the release slope 64 and is thus raised until the securing element 38 designed as a web is disengaged from the securing element 40 on Sides of the socket 18, which is formed by the respective securing flanks 52 at the front end of the securing webs 42, 44. In other words, by moving the slide 54, the securing element 38 and thus also the plug cover 34 are raised or opened further to such an extent that the securing element 38 comes out of engagement with the securing flanks 52 of the securing webs 42, 44 and the plug 30 can now be removed, since the securing element 38 no longer grips the securing element 40. Overall, it can thus be seen that a release device in the form of the slide 54 is arranged on the socket 18, which can be moved between a rest position and a release position, whereby when the plug 30 is plugged into the socket 18, the plug cover 34 and the securing element 38 arranged on the plug cover 34 can be moved from the securing position into a release position, in which the securing element 38 of the plug cover 34 is disengaged from the securing element 40 of the securing device 28 of the socket 18, whereby the plug 30 can be pulled out of the socket 18.

A summary of the Fig. 6a and 6b , which again show the socket device in respective sectional views, once again illustrates how the displacement movement of the slide 54 and thus of the release bevel 64 causes the plug cover 34 to be lifted, whereby the securing element 38 on the plug cover side comes out of engagement with the securing flanks 52 of the securing webs 42, 44 or out of engagement with the component referred to as the securing element 40 as a whole. If the plug 30 is now subjected to a withdrawal force, the securing element 38 on the plug cover side can again slide along the sloping attachment bevel 48 and the attachment bevel 46 and in the further course the plug 30 can be completely pulled off the plug receptacle 22 of the socket 18.

If the handle 66 of the slide 54 is released and is therefore no longer subjected to a corresponding pressure force which compresses the spring element 58, this spring element 58 causes the slide 54 to move from its release position according to Fig.5 and 6b returns to its resting position.

A plug-in bevel 68 adjoins the release bevel 64 of the slider 54 at the front. This plug-in bevel 68 ensures that the securing element 38 can slide not only along the respective plug-in bevel 46 of the securing webs 42, 44 when the plug 30 is plugged in, but also along this plug-in bevel 68.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS:

10

Basic element

12

Frame

14

flap

16

trough

18

Power outlet

20

Safety bridges

22

Plug-in socket

24

Contacts

26

Safety device

28

Release device

30

Plug

32

Storage facility

34

Plug cover

36

inside

38

Securing element

40

Securing element

42

Safety bridge

44

Safety bridge

46

Attachment bevel

48

sloping mounting slope

50

Great

52

Fuse flank

54

Slider

56

guide

58

Spring element

60

Pestle

62

Recording

64

Release slope

66

Handle

68

Attachment bevel

Claims (11)

1. A socket device, in particular for a vehicle, with a base element (10), at which a socket (18) for establishing an electrical plug connection with a plug (30) is arranged, which includes a securing device (26) with a securing element (40), which is engaged from behind by a corresponding securing element (38) of a plug lid (34) situated in a securing position, supported on the plug (30), with the plug (30) plugged into the socket (18), whereby the plug (30) is secured at the socket (18) against extraction,
   characterized in that
   a detaching device (28) is arranged at the socket (18), which is displaceable between a rest position and a detaching position, whereby, with the plug (30) plugged into the socket (18), the plug lid (34) and the securing element (38) arranged at the plug lid (34) are movable from the securing position into a release position, in which the securing element (38) of the plug lid (34) is disengaged from the securing element (40) of the securing device (28) of the socket (18), whereby the plug (30) is extractable from the socket (18).
2. The socket device according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the detaching device (28) is formed by a slider (54) displaceable between the rest position and the detaching position, which comprises a detaching slant (64), along which a component area of the plug lid (34), in particular the securing element (38), is movable upon the movement of the slider (54) from the rest position into the detaching position and thereby the plug lid (34) and the securing element (38) arranged at the plug lid (34) are movable from the securing position into a release position.
3. The socket device according to claim 2,
   characterized in that
   the slider (54) is displaceable between the rest position and the release position along an at least substantially linear sliding guide (56).
4. The socket device according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the detaching device (28) comprises a handle (66), by means of which the detaching device (28) is manually movable from the rest position into the detaching position, and thereby the plug lid (34) and the securing element (38) arranged at the plug lid (34) are movable from the securing position into a release position.
5. The socket device according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the detaching device (28) comprises a spring element (58), by means of which the detaching device (28) is movable from the detaching position into the rest position.
6. The socket device according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the securing element (40) of the socket (18) comprises at least one securing web (42, 44) with a fitting slant (46), along which the securing element (38) of the plug lid (34) is movable upon plugging the plug (30) into the socket (18) and hereby the plug lid (34) is further openable.
7. The socket device according to claim 5,
   characterized in that
   a sloping fitting slant (48) adjoins to the fitting slant (46) of the securing web (42, 44), along which the securing element (38) of the plug lid (34) is movable upon plugging into the socket (18) and hereby the plug lid (34) is displaceable towards its closed position.
8. The socket device according to claim 6,
   characterized in that
   a securing flank (52) adjoins to the sloping fitting slant (48) of the securing web (42, 44), on which the securing element (38) of the plug lid (34) supports in a manner engaging from behind after reaching the completely plugged-in position of the plug (30) in the socket (18).
9. The socket device according to claim 2 and 5 or 6,
   characterized in that
   the sloping fitting slant (48) of the securing web (42, 44) is adapted to the inclination of the detaching slant (64) of the slider (54).
10. The socket device according to any one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the socket device is arranged in a flap device with the base element (18) carrying the socket (18), by which at least one well (16) receiving the socket (16) is delimited, and with a flap (14), which is retained at the base element (10) movable in relation to the base element (10) between at least one closed position covering and thereby closing at least a partial area of the well (16) and at least one open position unblocking the partial area.
11. A vehicle, in particular motor home or camper, with at least one socket device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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