FR3051291A1 - CONVERGENCE OF MASKS FOR ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrical apparatus (100) comprising: a support plate (10), a mechanism (20) comprising an apparent functional element (21) on the support plate (10) and implementing a determined function, and a mask (30) having an opening (31) configured for access to the functional element (21) when said mask (30) is attached to said support plate (10), said opening (31) having a contour ( 31a) whose shape is random with respect to the shape of the outer contour (21a) of the functional element (21), and the mechanism (20) having a coating (22) apparent on said support plate (10) and having a) an inner contour (22a) whose shape is complementary to the shape of the outer contour (21a) of said functional element (21) so as to surround said functional element (21), and b) a geometry covering at least the geometry defined by the contour (31a) of said opening ( 31) so that, when the mask (30) is attached to said plate (10), the coating (22) covers the opening (31) of said mask (30) and is visible through it. this.

Description

CONVERGENCE OF MASKS FOR ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

Technical area

The present invention relates to the field of electrical equipment.

The present invention aims to converge the various components of an electrical equipment in order to limit manufacturing costs and reduce the number of references in the same range of products.

State of the art

Electrical equipment designed to be received by a recess (also called flush mounting box) or box protruding are well known to those skilled in the art.

An electrical apparatus conventionally comprises: - a support plate, - a mechanism, - a dressing plate, and - a mask.

The support plate, commonly called support, is fixed on the front of the recess or the protruding box. Such a recess can be used to make a reservation in the wall or partition, then to receive and fix the electrical equipment by connecting it beforehand to the cables that open into the recess.

The current range of electrical equipment is very wide and covers functions in the field of strong currents as well as in the field of weak currents, such electrical equipment that can be used to power or control an electrical device, or even to prevent access to a power cable left waiting in a recess. By way of example, an electrical equipment may consist of a socket-type connection socket for supplying power to electrical appliances such as a television set, a refrigerator, a microwave oven, a computer, or others.

Such an apparatus may also consist of a connection socket for supplying electrical appliances, such as a telephone socket, an RJ45 socket, a USB socket, a TV socket, a hi-fi connection plug, or others, to a low power supply.

Alternatively, such an apparatus may be a switch, a push button, a dimmer or the like, for controlling luminaires, shutter motors, or the like.

Such electrical equipment can similarly consist of a cable outlet for the direct connection of an electrical appliance such as, for example, a hob, an oven, a radiator or any other type of electrical appliance to an electric cable. power supply, via a connection terminal block.

Such electrical equipment may finally consist of a shutter to leave cables waiting in a recess pot for subsequent electrical connection to another electrical equipment.

The mechanism of an electrical equipment thus fulfills one of the aforementioned functions, namely: a connection function, a control function, a cable output function, or a shutter function.

There is thus in the same range of electrical equipment very many mechanisms associated with each of these functions.

The trim plate, commonly called plate, is positioned around the mechanism and covers the support plate.

The mask, also called hubcap, is positioned on the outer face of the mechanism and is surrounded by the trim plate in the same plane as the latter.

The Applicant observes that there are as many masks today as there are functions.

Indeed, the different possible functions of a mechanism each have a specific form. The opening of the mask that allows access to the function when the mask is attached to the support plate then has a shape that is necessarily determined by the shape of the function of the mechanism.

The Applicant notes that the passage in the store or the selection of products on an online commerce site for a non-specialist consumer is sometimes difficult; the choice of product in the range is not always obvious given the multiplicity of products in the same range.

This may involve coaching and advice from on-line salespeople or online advisors.

The Applicant also submits that the multiplicity of products in the same range requires a large width of shelf space in a store, which is detrimental to the legibility of products in the range for the consumer.

Thus, the consumer may have difficulty in identifying all the parts necessary for the construction of a complete apparatus.

The risk of error in the selection of components is therefore important given the very large number of parts in the same range.

This can even create a brake on the consumer who is at the time of purchase in front of too many parts to select.Management of all these components is also complicated in the case of a complex installation with a large number of switchgear. The installer is obliged to have many different references and may find it difficult to navigate.

Finally, at the industrial level, this considerably increases production costs, since it is necessary to design as many molds as there are products.

The Applicant observes here that these costs and the congestion of the products of the same range necessarily limit the possibilities in terms of color and finish.

Today, in order to limit the difficulties mentioned above, a manufacturer or distributor seeks to limit the colors of the masks to two or three.

Some ranges are declined in several colors, for example about twenty colors for about twenty functions. In this case, it is necessary to manage more than four hundred references just for the masks.

Object and summary of the present invention

The object of the present invention is to improve the situation described above.

The present invention more particularly aims to remedy the various disadvantages mentioned above by proposing a solution for converging the parts to homogeneous shapes to limit the number of manufacturing molds, make it clearer and enrich the range by reducing the number of references to manage in the range. For this purpose, the object of the present invention relates to electrical equipment conventionally comprising a support plate.

This support plate or support is generally attached to the front of the recess or protruding box.

According to the present invention, the electrical equipment also comprises a mechanism mounted integrally on the support plate and comprising an apparent functional element on the support plate.

Preferably, the functional element implements a determined function.

According to the present invention, the apparatus further comprises a mask adapted to be fixed on the support plate or on the mechanism.

Advantageously, the mask has an opening configured for access to the functional element when the mask is fixed on the support plate.

According to the present invention, the opening of the mask has a contour whose shape is random with respect to the shape of the outer contour of the functional element.

Advantageously, the mechanism comprises for its part an apparent coating on the support plate.

Advantageously, this coating has: an inner contour whose shape is complementary to the shape of the outer contour of the functional element so as to surround said functional element, and o a geometry covering at least the geometry defined by the contour of said opening so that, when fixing the mask on the plate, the coating covers the opening of said mask and is apparent through it.

Thanks to this configuration and this specific geometry, it becomes possible to design in the same range a minimum of parts capable of performing all the predefined functions.

Indeed, the coating surrounding the functional element supporting the function has an outer contour whose shape is not dictated by the shape of the function.

The shape of the opening is no longer conditioned by the form of the function.

The outer contour of the coating thus defines a geometry whose surface is greater than or equal to that of the opening so that, when the mask is attached to the support plate, the opening covers said coating or matches the external contour of the coating to allow access to the functional element.

It thus becomes possible to reduce the number of mask shapes, for example to two or three for the entire range.

This considerably limits the costs of production, logistics, sales; this also makes it easier to choose the consumer.

Preferably, the functional element is protruding from the support plate. In other words, the outer surface of the functional element defines a plane offset from the plane defined by the plate.

Optionally, the coating is also salient with respect to the support plate.

In an advantageous variant, when fixing the mask on the support plate, the planes defined respectively by the outer faces of the mask, the functional element and possibly the coating are coplanar.

Preferably, the electrical equipment according to the present invention comprises a trim plate.

Optionally, this trim plate has an opening whose contour has a shape complementary to the shape of the outer contour of the mask.

Thus, during the fixing of the trim plate on the support plate, the contour of the opening of the trim plate comes to match the outer contour of the mask.

Preferably, the mask is surrounded by the trim plate, in the same plane as the latter.

The trim plate according to the present invention is therefore configured to surround the mechanism and cover the support plate. Optionally, it provides a latching system arranged between the inner face of the trim plate and the outer face of the support plate for a removable attachment of the trim plate on the support plate.

Advantageously, the functional element comprises functional means configured to implement: a connector function, or a cable output function, or a control function, or a shutter function.

In an alternative embodiment, the opening of the mask and the outer contour of the coating each have a substantially oblong shape.

This variant is particularly advantageous for the functions of the telephone jack type or a double USB connection for example.

In another embodiment, the opening of the mask and the outer contour of the coating each have a substantially circular shape.

This variant is advantageous for functions of the simple connections type such as for example an RJ45 socket, television, satellite, etc. Those skilled in the art will understand here that other shapes can be envisaged such as for example a square shape or a rectangular shape.

Optionally, the support plate and the mask respectively comprise first and second assembly means capable of cooperating together for a removable assembly of the mask on the plate.

In a variant, the first and second assembly means are of the male / female type for a removable assembly of the mask on the plate by locking / declipping.

For example, it is possible to provide elements of the type of fastening lugs / ears of complementary shape capable of receiving the fixing lugs. Those skilled in the art will understand here that this is an alternative assembly possible among others The electrical equipment according to the present invention therefore comprises a mask configured to be positioned on the outer face of the mechanism. A latching / unclipping system is arranged between the inner face of the mask and the outer face of the support plate for a removable attachment of said mask.

In one embodiment, the mechanism and the support plate are one-piece.

In another embodiment, the mechanism and the support plate are instead two independent parts.

Advantageously, the coating comprises a shoulder portion adapted to be housed at least partially in the opening of the mask during attachment of said mask on the support plate.

Thus, the object of the present invention, by its different functional and structural aspects described above and by its specific geometry, makes it possible to converge the mask shapes and thus reduce the number of molds necessary to cover all the masks of the mask. the same range of equipment.

Brief description of the appended figures Other features and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description below, with reference to the appended figures which illustrate various embodiments thereof devoid of any limiting character and in which: Figure 1 represents a view diagrammatic perspective view of an electrical apparatus implementing an RJ45 type function; 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a trim plate according to an embodiment adapted to the support plate assembly and mechanism illustrated in the figures below; FIGS. 3A and 3B each represent a diagrammatic perspective view respectively of a support plate on which is mounted a mechanism implementing an RJ45 type function according to FIG. 1 and the associated mask; - Figure 4 shows a schematic perspective view of an electrical equipment implementing a connection function "dual USB sockets"; FIGS. 5A and 5B each represent a schematic perspective view respectively of a support plate on which is mounted a mechanism implementing a "double USB plug" type connection function according to FIG. 4 and the associated mask; FIG. 6 represents a schematic perspective view of an electrical apparatus implementing a telephone jack type function; FIGS. 7A and 7B each represent a diagrammatic perspective view respectively of a support plate on which is mounted a mechanism implementing a telephone jack type function according to FIG. 6 and the associated mask; FIGS. 8A and 8B each represent a diagrammatic perspective view respectively of a support plate on which is mounted a mechanism implementing an automatic switch type function and the associated mask; Figs. 9A and 9B each show a schematic perspective view respectively of a support plate on which is mounted a mechanism implementing a television antenna connection socket type function and associated mask; FIGS. 10A and 10B each represent a diagrammatic perspective view respectively of a support plate on which is mounted a mechanism implementing an audio connection socket type function for a hi-fi enclosure and the associated mask; FIGS. 11A and 11B each represent a diagrammatic perspective view respectively of a support plate on which is mounted a mechanism implementing a three-position control button type function, for example for up / down / stop control of a rolling shutter and associated mask; Figures 12A and 12B each show a schematic perspective view respectively of a support plate on which is mounted a mechanism implementing a function of the cable outlet type and the associated mask; Figures 13A and 13B each show a schematic perspective view respectively of a support plate on which is mounted a mechanism implementing a shutter type function and the associated mask;

Detailed description according to various advantageous exemplary embodiments

An electrical apparatus according to various embodiments of the invention will now be described in the following with reference to Figures 1 to 13A-13B.

It should be noted here that, in the following description, the same references are used to describe the same or similar characteristics according to the various exemplary embodiments.

For the record, converging the masks to reduce the number of manufacturing molds and thus reduce production costs is one of the objectives of the present invention. Reducing the number of pieces in the same range to enrich the offer in store and facilitate the choice of the consumer is also one of the other objectives of the present invention.

The present invention therefore aims to design a range of electrical equipment whose geometry and configuration allows a convergence of parts including masks.

The Applicant has indeed found that, as explained above, there are today almost as many masks as there are functions for electrical equipment.

To achieve the various objectives above, the concept underlying the present invention is to propose the design of a mask having an opening whose geometry does not depend on the function implemented by the mechanism.

More particularly, in the various exemplary embodiments described here and illustrated in FIGS. 3A, 5A and 7A to 13A, there is an electrical apparatus 100 comprising a support plate 10 on which a mechanism 20 is integrally mounted. of the trade will comprise here that the support plate 10 and the mechanism 20 can form together in one piece. Alternatively, it may be two separate pieces.

In the example of FIGS. 1 and 3A-3B, the mechanism 20 comprises functional means configured for an RJ45 type of computer connection socket.

In the example of FIGS. 4 and 5A-5B, the mechanism 20 comprises functional means configured for a connection function of the double USB socket type.

In the example of FIGS. 6 and 7A-7B, the mechanism 20 comprises functional means configured for a telephone jack type connection function.

In the example of FIG. 8A, the mechanism 20 comprises functional means configured for an automatic switch type control function.

In the example of FIG. 9A, the mechanism 20 comprises functional means configured for a type connection function taken for a connection of a television antenna (not shown).

In the example of FIG. 10A, the mechanism 20 comprises functional means configured for a speaker or loudspeaker cable connector type connection function (not shown).

In the example of FIG. 11A, the mechanism 20 comprises functional means configured for a three-position switch or push button type control function for up / down / stop control of a shutter motor (not shown). ).

In the example of Figure 12A, the mechanism 20 includes functional means configured for a cable output type function.

In the example of FIG. 13A, the mechanism 20 comprises functional means configured for a shutter-type function. Those skilled in the art will understand here that other functional means may be considered in the context of the present invention to implement other functions.

It is recalled here that the examples of functional means described above are presented for illustrative purposes only and in no way present a limiting character.

In the example described here, it is sought to design an electrical apparatus 100 comprising a mask opening 30 whose shape no longer depends on the function implemented by the mechanism 20.

Indeed, as recalled in the state of the art, there exist currently with the existing solutions as many masks as there are mechanisms. This multiplicity of masks comes from the dependence that exists between the shape of the masks and the shape of the mechanisms. The independence sought in the context of the present invention between the shape of the opening 31 of the mask 30 and the function of the mechanism 20 makes it possible to significantly reduce the number of molds necessary to cover all the masks of the same range, for example to one or two types of mussels.

In the example of FIG. 3B, the outline 3a of the opening 31 of the mask 30 is circular in shape. This mask 30 is adapted to cover the mechanism 20 and support plate assembly 10 illustrated in FIG. 3 A.

As can be seen in FIGS. 8B-9B and 10B, this same mask 30 having an opening 31 with a contour 31 of circular shape also makes it possible to fulfill its function for the mechanism 20 and support plate 10 assemblies illustrated in FIGS. -9 A and 10A

In the example of Figure 5B, the contour 3 la of the opening 31 of the mask 30 is oblong. This mask 30 is adapted to cover the mechanism 20 and support plate assembly 10 illustrated in FIG. 5 A.

As can be seen in FIGS. 7B-11B-12B and 13B, this same mask 30 having an opening 31 with a contour 31 of oblong shape also fulfills its function for the mechanism 20 and support plate 10 assemblies illustrated in FIGS. 7B-11B-12B and 13B.

In these examples, only two types of masks are available to cover all the described mechanisms. This is obviously one example among others.

This convergence of the masks is characteristic of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will understand here that other shapes can be envisaged for the opening 31 of the mask 30, for example a square shape or a rectangular shape.

In the various examples described here, the mechanism 20 according to the present invention comprises a functional element 21 which is visible on the support plate 10.

In the various embodiments described here, this functional element 21 is salient with respect to the plane defined by the support plate 10.

In the various examples described here, the apparent functional element 21 is configured to implement the function. In other words, the apparent functional element 21 thus supports the functional means for the implementation of the function.

This convergence makes it possible to have an opening 31 of the mask 30, the shape of the contour of which is random with respect to the function of the mechanism.

As explained above, we find for example in Figures 4 / 5B, 6 / 7B and 11B to 13B the use of a same mask 30 having an opening 31 having a contour 30a of oblong shape for different functions.

Correlatively, we find for example in Figures 1, 3B and 8B to 10B, the use of the same mask 30 having an opening 31 having a contour 30a of circular shape for different functions.

To allow this convergence of masks whatever the function of the mechanism, the present invention provides the design of a coating 22, characteristic of the present invention.

This coating 22 is also apparent on the support plate 10.

In the various examples described here, the coating 22 is salient with respect to the plane defined by the support plate 10.

In these examples, the coating 22 also has: - an internal contour 22a whose shape is complementary to the shape of the outer contour 21a of the functional element 21 so as to surround the functional element 21, and - an outer contour 22b whose shape is complementary to the shape of the contour 3 la of the opening 31.

Thanks to the geometry of this coating 22 which surrounds the functional element 21 and which has an outer contour 22b whose geometry is complementary to the geometry of the opening 31 of the mask 30, the outer contour 22b of the coating 22 comes to marry perfectly the contour 31a of the opening 31 of the mask 30 when the mask 30 is attached to the support plate 10 (see FIGS. 1, 4 and 6).

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention not illustrated here, those skilled in the art can also provide a coating 22 which has a geometry covering at least the geometry defined by the contour 31a of the opening 31 so that, when fixing the mask 30 on the plate 10, the coating 22 covers the opening 31 of the mask 30 and is visible through it.

In this variant, it is understood that the area defined by the outer contour 22b of the coating 22 is greater than or equal to the area defined by the contour 3a of the opening 31.

In this variant, the desired effect remains the same: the user can use the same mask 30 to cover mechanisms implementing different functions. The coating 22 according to the present invention which is interposed between the function of the mechanism 20 and the mask 30 thus has a geometry and a configuration which allows the design of masks whose shape of the opening 31 is independent of the function implemented. This makes it possible to have a mask that adapts to several types of mechanism.

In the example described here, a mask 30 with an oblong opening 31 as illustrated in FIGS. 5B, 7B and 11B to 13B notably makes it possible to integrate functions such as USB dual plug, cable outlet, shutter, Hi-jack fi dual, HDMI jack, VGA jack, TV-Sat-FM jacks, telephone, dimmer, shutter control, VMC control, pull switch, elongated switch, and others and a mask 30 with a circular aperture 31 as illustrated in FIGS. 3B and 8B to 10B in particular makes it possible to integrate functions such as a TV socket, Satellite socket, RJ11 socket, RJ45 socket, simple Hi-Fi socket, automatic switch, rotary dimmer, lever switch, and others.

These two unique masks allow in the example described here to satisfy all the needs of the range. The choice of the consumer in store is therefore simplified.

The range of electrical equipment that incorporates the features of the invention therefore gains in readability, which encourages the consumer to choose this range rather than another.

In the example described here, there is also provided a trim plate 40 which is positioned on the support plate 10 by fixing means (not shown here).

As illustrated in FIG. 2, this covering plate 40 has an opening 41 whose contour 41a has a shape complementary to the shape of the outer contour 30a of the mask 30.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4 and 6, the planes defined respectively by the outer faces of the functional element 21, the coating 22, the mask 30 and the covering plate 40 are coplanar for a better aesthetic appearance.

In the various embodiments described here, the coating 22 comprises a shoulder portion 22c which is housed at least partially in the opening 31 of the mask 30 during attachment of the mask 30 to the support plate 10.

Finally, in the various examples described here, there are provided first 11 and second 32 assembly means able to cooperate together for a removable assembly of the mask 30 on the plate 10.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3B, 5A-5B and 7A-7B to 13A-13B, these assembly means 11 and 32 can be of the male / female type for a removable assembly of the mask 30 on the plate 10 by snapping / unclipping .

In these examples, the first assembly means comprise perforations 11 arranged on the support plate 10, substantially at the four corners of the plate 10. These perforations 11 are designed to receive fastening pins 32 corresponding to the second means of mounting. 'assembly. Those skilled in the art will understand here that other modes of assembly can be envisaged within the framework of the present invention.

Thanks to the comparative study of the dimensional constraints of all the functions available for an apparatus, it has been possible in the context of the present invention to converge the parts and in particular the masks in order to retain only a few relevant geometries and dimensions. .

Note that in the example of Figures 8A and 11A, the presence of the coating 22 is not necessary. The mask 22 is already adapted to the dimensions and the shape of the apparent functional element 21.

In the example described here, the present invention, thanks in particular to the coating 22 which is inserted between the functional element and the contour of the mask and which has a specific geometry and configuration, thus makes it possible to converge the dimensions of the different masks to a single mask of oblong shape or to a single mask of circular shape (or any other shape variants: for example square or rectangular), able to adapt to both mechanisms with coating that mechanisms without coating.

The present invention, thanks to this geometry and this specific configuration, reduces the number of masks in the same range.

Thus, faced with the large number of functions, it becomes possible thanks to the present invention to decline the masks in many colors without managing too many references.

Indeed, currently, some ranges provide more than twenty colors, which represents more than 500 references to manage just for masks.

With the present invention, the number of references for the masks is divided by five while maintaining all the possibilities of application and customization.

This represents very important issues both in terms of industrialization and in terms of massification, the part price, logistics, merchandising, ease of understanding of the offer by users, or the management of stocks.

The risk of confusing different masks is also limited, the rationalization allowing to have only masks with very distinct geometry.

Communication on the pairing function and mask can be facilitated making it possible to use pictograms rather than texts (potentially written in many languages) which can guide considerably the consumer in his choice at the time of the act of purchase.

It should be observed that this detailed description relates to various particular embodiments of the present invention, but in no case this description is of any nature limiting to the subject of the invention; on the contrary, its purpose is to remove any imprecision or misinterpretation of the claims that follow.

It should also be observed that the reference signs in parentheses in the following claims are in no way limiting in nature; these signs are only intended to improve the intelligibility and understanding of the claims that follow as well as the scope of the protection sought.

Claims (10)

An electrical apparatus (100) comprising: - a support plate (10); - a mechanism (20) integrally mounted on said support plate (10) and comprising an apparent functional element (21) on the support plate (10); ) and implementing a specific function, and - a mask (30) adapted to be fixed on said support plate (10) and having an opening (31) configured for access to the functional element (21) when said mask (30) is fixed on said support plate (10), characterized in that said opening (31) has a contour (31a) whose shape is random with respect to the shape of the outer contour (21a) of the element functional (21), and in that the mechanism (20) has a coating (22) apparent on said support plate (10) and having: o an inner contour (22a) whose shape is complementary to the shape of the outer contour (21a) of said functional element (21) so as to surround said element functional (21), and o a geometry covering at least the geometry defined by the contour (31a) of said opening (31) so that, when fixing the mask (30) on said plate (10), the coating (22) covers the aperture (31) of said mask (30) and is apparent therethrough. 2. Electrical apparatus (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the functional element (21) and / or the coating (22) are projecting relative to said support plate (10). 3. Electrical apparatus (100) according to claim 2, wherein, when fixing the mask (30) on said support plate (10), the planes respectively defined by the outer faces of the mask (30) and said functional element. (21) and / or said coating (22) are coplanar. 4. Electrical apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coating (22) has an outer contour (22b) whose shape is complementary to the shape of the contour (31a) of said opening (31). , so that, when fixing the mask (30) on said support plate (10), the contour (31) of the opening (31) of said mask (30) comes to marry the outer contour (22b) of said coating (22). 5. Electrical apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a trim plate (40) having an opening (41) whose contour (41a) has a shape complementary to the shape of the outer contour (30a). said mask (30) so that, when attaching said trim plate (40) to said support plate (10), the contour (41a) of the opening (41) of said trim plate ( 40) comes to marry the outer contour (30a) of said mask (30). Electrical apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional element (21) comprises functional means configured to implement: a connector function, or a cable output function, or o a control function, or o a shutter function. Electrical apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the contour (31a) of said opening (31) has a shape substantially: o oblong, or o circular, or o square, or o rectangular . 8. Electrical apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said support plate (10) and said mask (30) respectively comprise first (11) and second (32) suitable assembly means cooperating together for a removable assembly of said mask (30) on said plate (10). 9. Electrical apparatus (100) according to claim 8, wherein the first (11) and second (32) assembly means are of the male / female type for a removable assembly of said mask (30) on said plate (10) by latching / unlatching. 10. Electrical apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coating (22) comprises a shoulder portion (22c) adapted to be housed at least partially in the opening (31) of said mask (30). ) when fixing said mask (30) on the support plate (10).