TWM673221U - Wall-mounted electrical equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

A wall-mounted electrical device, such as a switch holder, comprises a base, a storage box, a decorative plate, and at least one button. The storage box is connected to a rear surface of the base and has a storage space that communicates with a mounting hole in the base. The decorative plate overlies a front surface of the base and has a hollow hole. The hollow hole overlaps and communicates with the mounting hole in the base. The button is disposed in the mounting hole in the base.

Description

Wall-mounted electrical equipment

This creation relates to electrical devices intended to be mounted on a wall, such as a switch holder or a socket.

Wall-mounted electrical devices can be broadly categorized into two types: switches and sockets. The former controls the on/off switching of various electronic devices within the control room, while the latter accepts plugs to provide power or signals to these devices. There are many types of switches, each with varying structures depending on its function and purpose. In the field of firefighting equipment, manual smoke exhaust switches are a common type of switch, used to control the opening and closing of smoke exhaust dampers.

Existing switch sockets or outlets can be equipped with a cover assembly depending on their needs. The cover assembly includes an adapter frame and a transparent cover pivoted to one side of the adapter frame. The transparent cover can be opened or closed relative to the adapter frame. When the adapter frame is snapped onto the front side of a switch socket, the transparent cover acts as a cover for the switch socket. That is, when the transparent cover is closed, the switch socket is covered by the transparent cover to prevent the buttons on the switch socket from being accidentally pressed. When the transparent cover is opened, the buttons on the switch socket are exposed and can be pressed.

While this removable cover assembly allows users to purchase it separately depending on the situation, the problem is that the cover assembly may not snap onto the switch holder securely due to dimensional errors, causing it to loosen or even fall off. Furthermore, with rapid economic development, people's requirements for wall-mounted switch holders are no longer limited to functionality, but also include a certain degree of aesthetic appeal and/or quality. Therefore, the industry is eagerly awaiting a new switch holder that can at least address any of these issues.

This invention provides a wall-mounted electrical device comprising a baseboard, a storage box, a decorative panel, and an electrical component. The baseboard has a front surface, a rear surface, and a mounting hole extending through the front and rear surfaces. The storage box is connected to the rear surface of the baseboard and has a storage space communicating with the mounting hole. The decorative panel overlaps the front surface of the baseboard and has a hollow hole. The hollow hole overlaps and communicates with the mounting hole of the baseboard. The electrical component (e.g., a button or a socket unit) is disposed within the mounting hole of the baseboard.

In one embodiment, the substrate of the electrical device of the present invention has a decorative frame strip, which protrudes forward from the front surface and surrounds the mounting hole, wherein the decorative frame strip is located in the hollow hole of the decorative panel, and an outer periphery of the decorative frame strip is against an inner periphery of the hollow hole.

In one embodiment, an inner periphery of the decorative frame strip of the electrical device of the present invention is aligned with an inner peripheral wall of the mounting hole, and the electrical component includes one or more buttons, and the one or more buttons normally have a portion protruding from the decorative frame strip, and when pressed, the portion is retracted into the decorative frame strip.

In one embodiment, the substrate of the electrical device of the present invention has a front frame bar and a rear frame bar. The front frame bar protrudes forward from the front surface and surrounds the front surface, so that a shallow groove is formed between the front frame bar and the front surface. The shallow groove receives the decorative panel. The rear frame bar protrudes backward from the rear surface and surrounds the rear surface. A cross-section of the rear frame bar and the front frame bar is stepped.

In one embodiment, the electrical device of the present invention further includes an outer cover connected to the base plate and located in front of the trim panel, wherein the outer cover is transparent and is configured to be opened or closed.

In one embodiment, the outer cover of the electrical device of the present invention includes a cover plate and a frame plate, the cover plate having a front side and a rear side, the frame plate protruding rearward from the rear side and surrounding the rear side. When the outer cover is closed, the cover plate is opposite the decorative panel, the frame plate surrounds an outer periphery of the front frame strip of the base plate and abuts against a front periphery of the rear frame strip, wherein the base plate has a hinge block protruding forward from the front frame strip, the frame plate has a notch and two protruding bolts opposite each other across the notch, the notch of the frame plate receives the hinge block, and the two protruding bolts are respectively hinged to the two ends of the hinge block.

In one embodiment, the electrical component of the electrical device of the present invention includes a circuit board and one or more push-button switches arranged on the circuit board, and the one or more push-button switches can be pressed by the one or more buttons respectively. The storage box includes multiple side panels and multiple receiving frames for defining the storage space. The receiving frames are formed on one of the side panels and are located in the storage space. Each receiving frame has a slot, and the openings of the slots are arranged in a straight line. When the circuit board is inserted into the slots, the one or more push-button switches are respectively inserted into the receiving frames.

In one embodiment, the storage box of the electrical device of the present invention has a through hole communicating with the storage space.

In one embodiment, the electrical device of the present invention includes an outer cover connected to the base and located in front of the decorative panel, wherein the outer cover is transparent, wherein the base has a front frame bar, a rear frame bar, and a hinge block, wherein the front frame bar protrudes forward from the front surface and surrounds the front surface, so that a shallow groove is formed between the front frame bar and the front surface, and the shallow groove receives the decorative panel, and the rear frame bar protrudes backward from the rear surface and surrounds the rear surface. The rear frame bar and the front frame bar have a cross-section in a stepped shape, and the hinge block protrudes forward from the front frame bar; the outer cover includes a cover plate and a frame plate, the cover plate has a front side surface and a rear side surface, the frame plate protrudes backward from the rear side surface and surrounds the rear side surface, when the outer cover is closed, the cover plate is opposite to the decorative plate, the frame plate surrounds an outer periphery of the front frame bar of the base plate and abuts against a front periphery of the rear frame bar, wherein the frame plate has A notch and two protruding bolts opposite to each other across the notch, the notch of the frame plate receives the hinge block, and the two protruding bolts are respectively hinged to the two ends of the hinge block; a first buckle strip protrudes from the outer periphery of the front frame strip of the base plate, and the first buckle strip is located opposite to the hinge block, and a second buckle strip protrudes from the position of the frame plate corresponding to the first buckle strip. When the outer cover is closed, the second buckle strip of the frame plate is buckled with the first buckle strip of the base plate.

In one embodiment, the substrate of the electrical device of the present invention has a decorative frame strip, which protrudes forward from the front surface and surrounds the mounting hole, wherein the decorative frame strip is located in the hollow hole of the decorative panel, and an outer periphery of the decorative frame strip is abutted against an inner periphery of the hollow hole, and an inner periphery of the decorative frame strip is aligned with an inner peripheral wall of the mounting hole, and the electrical component includes at least one button or socket unit located in the mounting hole.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate an embodiment of the electrical device of the present invention. In this embodiment, the electrical device is a wall-mounted switch. Specifically, it is a manual smoke exhaust switch that controls the opening or closing of a fire exhaust gate, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it can also be a power socket.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the electrical device (such as a manual smoke exhaust switch seat) includes a base plate 1, a storage box 2, a decorative panel 3, an electrical component 4 and an outer cover 5. The base plate 1 has a front surface 11, a rear surface 12 (see Figure 4), and a mounting hole 13 passing through the front surface 11 to the rear surface 12. The storage box 2 is connected to the rear surface 12 of the base plate 1 and has a storage space 22 that communicates with the mounting hole 13. The decorative panel 3 overlaps with the front surface 11 of the base plate 1 and has a hollow hole 31. The hollow hole 31 overlaps with and communicates with the mounting hole 13 of the base plate 1. The electrical component 4 is mounted in the mounting hole 13. The outer cover 5 is connected to the base plate 1 and is located in front of the decorative panel 3, and is configured to be opened (see Figure 2) or closed (see Figure 3). The outer cover 5 is transparent so that the user can at least see the electrical component 4 through the outer cover 5 when the outer cover 5 is closed.

In this embodiment, the base plate 1 and the storage box 2 are integrally formed (or may not be integrally formed), and are preferably made of a non-foamed plastic material, such as ABS, PVC or PE, but not limited thereto. However, the decorative plate 3 can be made of metal, plastic, wood or other materials. It is preferably a metal material so as to enhance the texture through the metallic luster and have a certain protective effect. Specifically, the decorative plate 3 can be made of a stainless steel plate or a galvanized steel plate. The electrical component 4 includes one or more buttons 41, such as a large button 41a, or multiple small buttons 41b, but not limited thereto. The button 41 is preferably made of a non-foamed plastic material, such as ABS, PVC or PE, but not limited thereto. The button 41 can also be replaced by a socket unit (not shown). Each socket unit has one or more sockets, such as a power socket for a power plug, a network socket for a network cable connector, or a telephone socket for a telephone line connector. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the electrical assembly 4 further includes a circuit board 42 and one or more pushbutton switches 43 disposed on the circuit board 42. The one or more pushbutton switches 43 can be pressed by the one or more buttons 41.

The extent of the cover of the outer cover 5 can be determined as needed. For example, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG3 , when the outer cover 5 is closed, the entire trim panel 3 and button 41 are covered by the outer cover 5. However, it is also possible to change the arrangement so that only the button 41 is covered when the outer cover 5 is closed, or to cover only the button 41 and the surrounding area when the outer cover 5 is closed. In any case, when the outer cover 5 is opened, the entire trim panel 3 and button 41 are exposed.

In this embodiment, the outer cover 5 is fully transparent. Therefore, when the outer cover 5 is closed, the user can see the trim 3 and electrical components 4, including the text or patterns formed thereon. However, the outer cover 5 may also be partially transparent, for example, only the area corresponding to the electrical components 4 is transparent, or the area and its surrounding area are transparent. There are many ways to make the outer cover 5 transparent, such as using a transparent non-foamed plastic material (such as transparent PE, ABS, or PVC) to make the outer cover 5 completely transparent, or forming a through hole in the area of the outer cover 5 where the view is desired. The specific method is determined according to the needs and is not limited to the above.

In this embodiment, the base plate 1 further includes a decorative frame strip 14, a front frame strip 15, and a rear frame strip 16, though these are optional and are not required. The decorative frame strip 14 protrudes forward from the front surface 11 and surrounds the mounting hole 13. The front frame strip 15 protrudes forward from the front surface 11 and surrounds the front surface 11, forming a shallow groove 151 between the front frame strip 15 and the front surface 11. The shallow groove 151 receives the trim panel 3. Furthermore, the decorative frame strip 14 is positioned within the hollow hole 31 of the trim panel 3, with an outer perimeter 141 of the decorative frame strip 14 abutting an inner perimeter 311 of the hollow hole 31, and an inner perimeter 142 of the decorative frame strip 14 aligned with an inner peripheral wall 131 of the mounting hole 13. As shown in FIG4 , the rear frame bar 16 protrudes rearward from the rear surface 12 and surrounds the rear surface 12 . As shown in FIG5 , a cross section of the rear frame bar 16 and the front frame bar 15 is stepped.

It should be noted that, as shown in Figure 2, because the decorative frame strip 14 surrounds the button 41 (or the socket unit) and lies between it and the trim panel 3, it clearly separates the button 41 (or the socket unit) from the trim panel 3, making the button 41 (or the socket unit) more visually distinct. This is especially true when the decorative frame strip 14, the trim panel 3, and the button 41 (or the socket unit) are designed in different colors—for example, if the decorative frame strip 14 is white, the trim panel 3 has a platinum finish, and the button 41 is black—then the button 41 becomes more prominent and easier to identify. Furthermore, when combined with the front and rear frame strips 15 and 16, the entire base plate 1 presents an appearance that is both aesthetically pleasing and high-quality.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2 , in this embodiment, the outer cover 5 includes a cover plate 51 and a frame plate 52. The cover plate 51 has a front side 511 and a rear side 512. The frame plate 52 protrudes rearward from the rear side 512 and surrounds the rear side 512. As shown in Figures 1 and 3 , when the outer cover 5 is closed, the cover plate 51 faces the trim panel 3. The frame plate 52 surrounds an outer periphery 152 of the front frame strip 15 of the base plate 1 and abuts a front periphery 161 of the rear frame strip 16. Preferably, the frame plate 52 has a notch 521 and two protruding pins 522, each of which protrudes toward the notch 521 and faces each other. The base plate 1 has a hinge block 17 protruding forward from the front frame bar 15. The notch 521 of the frame plate 52 receives the hinge block 17, and two protruding pins 522 pivot onto the ends of the hinge block 17. This allows the user to open or close the outer cover 5 by simply twisting it. Because the electrical device in this invention already has the outer cover 5, there's no need to purchase a separate outer cover assembly, as with previous designs. This eliminates the problem of the outer cover assembly loosening or falling off due to dimensional errors.

Preferably, a first buckle 153 protrudes from the outer perimeter 152 of the front frame 15 of the base 1. The first buckle 153 is located opposite the hinge block 17. A second buckle 523 protrudes from the frame 52 at a position corresponding to the first buckle 153. When the outer cover 5 is closed, the second buckle 523 of the frame 52 engages with the first buckle 153 of the base 1 to prevent the outer cover 5 from opening. Furthermore, the cover 51 has a flap 513 located near the second buckle 523. The flap 513 facilitates the user's opening and closing of the outer cover 5.

In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 to 6, the storage box 2 includes a plurality of side panels 21 and a plurality of receiving frames 24 for defining a storage space 22. The receiving frames 24 protrude forward from one of the side panels 21 (for example, the rear side panel 21c) and are located in the storage space 22. Each receiving frame 24 has a slot 25, and the openings of these slots 25 face forward and are arranged in a straight line. When the above-mentioned circuit board 42 is inserted into these slots 25, the one or more key switches 43 are just inserted into the corresponding receiving frames 24 respectively. In addition, in this embodiment, each of the two side panels 21 (for example, the upper side panel 21a and the lower side panel 21b) has a through hole 23, and the wires (not shown in the figure) connected to the circuit board 42 can pass through the through hole 23. The number of the through holes 23 can be changed to one, or three or more, depending on the needs.

As shown in Figure 7 , the trim panel 3 is secured to the base plate 1 via several screws 61 , while the base plate 1 is secured to a wall 7 via several bolts 62 . Initially, the button 41 protrudes slightly forward of the trim strip 14 . As shown in Figure 8 , once the button 41 is pressed, it retracts into the trim strip 14 , thereby pressing the pushbutton 43 . This switches the pushbutton 43 to an ON position, opening the electrical device connected to the circuit board 42 (e.g., the aforementioned fire exhaust damper). Furthermore, to facilitate the securing of the screws 61 and bolts 62 , the base plate 1 also has a plurality of screw holes 18 and bolt holes 19 , as shown in Figures 1 and 6 .

1: Baseplate 11: Front Surface 12: Rear Surface 13: Mounting Holes 131: Inner Wall 14: Trim 141: Outer Periphery 142: Inner Periphery 15: Front Trim 151: Shallow Recess 152: Outer Periphery 153: First Groove 16: Rear Trim 161: Front Periphery 17: Hub 18: Screw Holes 19: Bolt Holes 2: Storage Box 21: Side Panels 21a: Upper Side Panel 21b: Lower Side Panel 21c: Rear Side Panel 22: Storage Space 23: Through Hole 24: Receiver 25: Slot 3: Trim 31: Hole 311: Inner perimeter 4: Electrical components 41: Button 41a: Large button 41b: Small button 42: Circuit board 43: Pushbutton 5: Exterior cover 51: Cover 511: Front 512: Rear 513: Tab 52: Frame 521: Notch 522: Bolt 523: Second retaining rail 61: Screw 62: Bolt 7: Wall

Figure 1 shows a schematic 3D exploded view of an embodiment of an electrical device of the present invention; Figures 2 and 3 show schematic 3D views of the embodiment of the present invention in different states of use; Figure 4 shows a schematic 3D view of the embodiment of the present invention from another angle; Figure 5 shows a schematic 3D cross-sectional view of the base plate 1 and storage box 2 of the embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 shows a schematic front view of the base plate 1 and storage box 2 of the embodiment of the present invention; Figures 7 and 8 show schematic cross-sectional views of the embodiment of the present invention in different states of use.

1:Substrate

11: Front surface

13: Mounting hole

131: Inner wall

14: Decorative frame strips

141: Outer Periphery

142: Inner Periphery

15:Front frame

151: Shallow groove

152: Outer Periphery

153: First buckle strip

16: Rear frame

17: Hub block

18: Screw hole

19: Bolt through hole

2: Storage Box

22: Storage Space

3: Trim

31: Hollow hole

311: Inner Periphery

4: Electrical components

41:Button

41a: Big Button

41b: Small button

42: Circuit board

43: Button switch

5: Outer cover

51: Cover plate

511: Front side

513: Patch

521: Gap

522:Protruding bolt

61: Screws

Claims (10)

An electrical device comprises: a substrate having a front surface, a rear surface, and a mounting hole extending through the front and rear surfaces; a storage box connected to the rear surface of the substrate and having a storage space communicating with the mounting hole; a trim panel superimposed on the front surface of the substrate and having a cutout hole that overlaps and communicates with the mounting hole of the substrate; and an electrical component disposed in the mounting hole of the substrate. An electrical device as described in claim 1, wherein the substrate has a decorative frame strip that protrudes forward from the front surface and surrounds the mounting hole, wherein the decorative frame strip is located in the hollow hole of the decorative panel, and an outer periphery of the decorative frame strip is abutted against an inner periphery of the hollow hole. An electrical device as described in claim 2, wherein an inner periphery of the decorative frame strip is aligned with an inner peripheral wall of the mounting hole, and the electrical component includes one or more buttons, and the one or more buttons normally have a portion protruding from the decorative frame strip, and when pressed, the portion is retracted into the decorative frame strip. An electrical device as described in claim 3, wherein the substrate has a front frame bar and a rear frame bar, the front frame bar protrudes forward from the front surface and surrounds the front surface, so that a shallow groove is formed between the front frame bar and the front surface, the shallow groove receives the decorative panel, the rear frame bar protrudes backward from the rear surface and surrounds the rear surface, and a cross-section of the rear frame bar and the front frame bar is stepped. The electrical device of claim 4 comprises an outer cover connected to the substrate and located in front of the trim panel, the outer cover being transparent and configured to be opened or closed. An electrical device as described in claim 5, wherein the outer cover includes a cover plate and a frame plate, the cover plate has a front side surface and a rear side surface, the frame plate protrudes backward from the rear side surface and surrounds the rear side surface, when the outer cover is closed, the cover plate is opposite to the decorative panel, the frame plate surrounds an outer periphery of the front frame strip of the base plate and abuts against a front periphery of the rear frame strip, wherein the base plate has a hinge block protruding forward from the front frame strip, the frame plate has a notch and two protruding bolts opposite to each other across the notch, the notch of the frame plate receives the hinge block, and the two protruding bolts are respectively hinged to the two ends of the hinge block. An electrical device as described in claim 3, wherein the electrical component includes a circuit board and one or more push-button switches arranged on the circuit board, the one or more push-button switches can be pressed by the one or more buttons respectively, the storage box includes multiple side panels and multiple receiving frames for defining the storage space, the receiving frames are formed on one of the side panels and are located in the storage space, each receiving frame has a slot, the openings of the slots are arranged in a straight line, when the circuit board is inserted into the slots, the one or more push-button switches are inserted into the corresponding receiving frames respectively. The electrical device as described in claim 7, wherein the storage box has a through hole communicating with the storage space. The electrical device of claim 1 includes a transparent cover connected to the base plate and located in front of the trim panel, wherein: The base plate has a front frame bar, a rear frame bar, and a hinge block. The front frame bar protrudes forward from the front surface and surrounds the front surface, forming a shallow groove between the front frame bar and the front surface, the shallow groove receiving the trim panel. The rear frame bar protrudes rearward from the rear surface and surrounds the rear surface, and a cross-section of the rear frame bar and the front frame bar is stepped. The hinge block protrudes forward from the front frame bar. The outer cover includes a cover plate and a frame plate. The cover plate has a front side and a rear side. The frame plate protrudes rearward from the rear side and surrounds the rear side. When the outer cover is closed, the cover plate faces the decorative panel. The frame plate surrounds an outer periphery of the front frame strip of the base plate and abuts a front periphery of the rear frame strip. The frame plate has a notch and two protruding bolts facing each other across the notch. The notch of the frame plate receives the hinge block, and the two protruding bolts are respectively hinged to the two ends of the hinge block; and A first buckle protrudes from the outer periphery of the front frame strip of the base plate. The first buckle is located opposite the hinge block. A second buckle protrudes from the frame plate at a position corresponding to the first buckle. When the outer cover is closed, the second buckle of the frame plate buckles with the first buckle of the base plate. An electrical device as described in claim 9, wherein the substrate has a decorative frame strip that protrudes forward from the front surface and surrounds the mounting hole, wherein the decorative frame strip is located in the hollow hole of the decorative panel, and an outer periphery of the decorative frame strip is abutted against an inner periphery of the hollow hole, and an inner periphery of the decorative frame strip is aligned with an inner peripheral wall of the mounting hole, and the electrical component includes at least one button or socket unit located in the mounting hole.