WO2005088780A1

WO2005088780A1 - Plug

Info

Publication number: WO2005088780A1
Application number: PCT/AT2005/000071
Authority: WO
Inventors: Manfred Listopad
Original assignee: Moeller Gebäudeautomation KG
Priority date: 2004-03-18
Filing date: 2005-03-04
Publication date: 2005-09-22
Also published as: EP1577987A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a plug (S) comprising at least a first input (12) provided with plug contacts for connecting to a network and a first plug housing (2). The aim of said invention is to improve the compactness of the plug and extend the scope thereof. For this purpose, the first plug housing is rotatably disposed in the second plug housing (1) and at least a second input and/or at least one output (3) are provided. The second input and/or output (3) are embodied in the form of a socket and/or in the form of a data transmission interface.

Description

plug

The invention relates to a plug with at least a first input, the first input comprising plug contacts for connection to a network, and a first plug housing. Electrical or electronic devices, such as, for example: power supply units, night lights, etc., for plugging into a socket are known. In many cases, power supply units have a cable that leads from the housing of the same to supply power to a consumer. A disadvantage of all these electrical or electronic devices is that they are only used as end devices, e.g. Night lights, or to power a specific device, such as a mobile phone are designed and are therefore only suitable for a very limited area of application. Another disadvantage of such devices is that, due to the spatial expansion of the housing, the number of devices to be arranged next to one another in a plug strip or adjacent sockets is limited, since the direction of insertion is predetermined and the housing has adjacent sockets and / or switches and / or button partially or completely covered.

The object of the present invention is to develop a connector of the type mentioned at the outset, avoiding the known disadvantages, in such a way that a plurality of such connectors can be arranged next to one another in a multiple connector strip and / or adjacent sockets, switches, buttons are not covered.

According to the invention, this is achieved in that the first connector housing is rotatably mounted in a second connector housing, and at least one second input and / or at least one output is provided, the second input and / or the output being a socket and / or an interface for data transmission is trained.

An external device can be connected to the plug and supplied through the output. Through the second input, the plug is suitable for introducing electricity and / or light and / or data into a network in a suitable form. Through the interface for data transmission, connections to a large number of control and / or monitoring devices can be established via the connector. Furthermore, an internal module can be configured, controlled or controlled via such an interface and data can be called up from such a module. Furthermore, the position of the second connector housing can be adapted to the local conditions and it can be avoided that neighboring electrical installation units are covered by the second connector housing. In a further embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the first input comprises - in a manner known per se - at least one plug contact, and that the first plug housing and / or second plug housing is in one plane essentially normal to the longitudinal expansion of the plug contact and / or in one Level is rotatable substantially parallel to the longitudinal extent of the plug contact. This maximizes the number of plugs according to the invention that can be integrated into an existing electrical installation. According to a further embodiment of a connector according to the invention it can be provided that the first connector housing and / or the second connector housing is made in several parts. This provides a simple structure and an easy installation. A variant of the invention can consist in that the at least one interface for data transmission as an interface for Internet (TCP-IP), PCMCIA, SCSI, LAN, USB, FireWire, EIB, LON, Powerline, RS-232, infrared, radio, wireless -LAN, Bluetooth, GSM, GPRS, UMTS, sound, ultrasound, TosLink, mini plug, is trained. By using a standardized interface for data transmission, many different applications and systems, especially from different manufacturers, can be easily integrated into the arrangement.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that at least one internal module for control and / or display is arranged in the second connector housing. As a result, a plug according to the invention can accomplish a variety of tasks for controlling consumers and / or building technology components and displaying a large number of parameters.

In a further development of the invention it can be provided that at least one of the modules is detachably arranged in the connector, in particular by arrangement in a receptacle, preferably by arrangement in a receptacle for PCMCIA plug-in cards or flash memory cards. This means that a connector can be quickly and easily adapted to new tasks.

A variant of the invention can consist in that at least one of the modules is conductively connected to the first input, the second input and / or output. This enables the module to perform control tasks or extract data from the network or prepare it for sending to a network.

According to a further embodiment of the invention it can be provided that at least one viewing window and / or openings are provided in the second connector housing. This makes the information displayed by the module visible to the user. Furthermore, the internal module can be manually accessed through the openings in the second connector housing.

Another possible embodiment can consist of means for limiting the

Rotational range, preferably at least one limiting web and / or at least one

Limiting ring on the first connector housing and / or on the second connector housing are provided. This ensures that the internal connection lines do not pass through

Twisting can be affected and still a reasonable one

Adjustment range, e.g. 90 °, is guaranteed.

In this connection, a further development of the invention can provide that means for inhibiting the rotatability of the first connector housing in the second connector housing, preferably notches and / or clamps, are provided. This ensures that the position of the second connector housing relative to the first connector housing selected by the user remains.

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

Embodiments are shown, described in more detail. It shows:

Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a connector according to the invention in an axonometric representation.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the connector of Fig. 1;

3 shows a triple socket with a double switch with three plugs according to FIG. 1;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the connector of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a side view of the connector of Figure 1 with the invisible shown.

6 shows a further embodiment of a plug according to the invention in a side view with the invisible shown, without a first exit;

7 shows the first connector housing of the connector according to FIG. 6;

Fig. 8, the first connector housing of the connector of FIG. 1 and

Fig. 9, the second connector housing of the connector of FIG. 1 in plan view.

1-9 show a preferred embodiment of a connector S according to the invention with at least one first input 12, the first input 12 having plug contacts for

Includes connection to a network, and a first connector housing 2, the first

Connector housing 2 is rotatably mounted in a second connector housing 1, wherein at least one second input and / or at least one output 3 is provided, the second input and / or output 3 as a socket and / or as an interface to

Data transmission is formed. This rotatable mounting has the advantage that Position of the second connector housing 2 to be optimally adapted to the local conditions. As a result, neither adjacent sockets 4 nor any switches or buttons 13 that may be present are covered by the plug S. Such connectors S can be provided with a switching function which is activated by rotating the second connector housing 1.

In a preferred embodiment of a plug S according to the invention it is provided that the first input 12 comprises - in a manner known per se - at least one plug contact 14, and that the first plug housing 2 and / or second plug housing 1 are in one plane essentially normal to the longitudinal extension of the Plug contact 14 and / or is rotatable in a plane substantially parallel to the longitudinal extent of the plug contact 14. A preferred embodiment of such a plug S, as shown in FIG. 6, is provided with an input 12 in the form of a protective contact plug. The rotatability of the housing in a plane substantially normal to the longitudinal expansion of the plug contacts 14 (first input 12) ensures that the second plug housing 1 moves largely parallel to a wall that may be present, in which the plug S is inserted. As can be seen in FIG. 3, several plugs S can be integrated into an existing electrical installation 4 in a space-saving manner. Since in some applications the space can be limited in such a way that even the plug S, which can be rotated essentially normal to the longitudinal expansion of the plug contacts 14 (first input 12), cannot be accommodated, the plug S according to the invention can be designed such that the second plug housing 1 is rotatable in a plane essentially parallel to the longitudinal extent of the plug contacts 14 (first input 12). As a result, an even larger number of plugs S can be integrated into an existing electrical installation 4. It is also envisaged to design plugs S which can be rotated both essentially normally and parallel to the longitudinal extent of the plug contacts 14 (first input 12).

In a typical application, at least one second input and / or at least one output 3, preferably a socket (see FIG. 5) and / or a cable for an external device, is provided. A connection to external devices can be established via a socket arranged in the second connector housing 1 (second input and / or first output 3) or a cable. For example, external devices can be supplied with power via a socket (second input and / or first output 3). Both versions are provided in which the outlet (socket) 3 arranged in the second connector housing 1 can rotate with the second connector housing 1, as well as such in which the output 3 maintains its orientation with respect to the first connector housing 2. An output 3 rotating with the second connector housing 1 has the advantage that the output 3 can always be brought into a position in which an attached cable does not stress the connector of the cable to bend. An output 3 can also serve as a combined input / output 3 in order to read data from a network and / or to send it to a network.

It is therefore also provided that at least one interface for data transmission, in particular Internet (TCP-IP), PCMCIA, SCSI, LAN, USB, FireWire, ELB, LON, Powerline, RS-232, infrared, radio, wireless LAN, Bluetooth, GSM, GPRS, UMTS, sound (clap sensor), ultrasound, TosLink, mini plug, is provided. The practical implementation of a connector S according to the invention is not limited to the examples given. Rather, it is intended to adapt any technologically sensible solution for such a connector S. In particular, the described features of the embodiments can be combined and / or exchanged.

The use of modern telecommunications technology makes it possible to control or control parts of a building technology system with a plug S according to the invention from any point on earth or from near-earth orbit.

In a preferred embodiment of a connector S according to the invention, at least one internal module 6 for control and / or display is arranged in the second connector housing 1. According to the invention, any number and every conceivable internal module 6 is provided. A particular advantage results from the possible interaction of the data interface, the internal module 6, the first input 12 and external devices. For this purpose, it is advantageous in most cases for at least one of the modules 6 to be conductively connected to the first input 12, the second input and / or output 3. In this way, the module 6 can intervene to control the outputs 3. Any type of connection 5 of the integrated modules 6 is conceivable, such as metallic conductors, sliding contacts, optical waveguides (glass fibers) or waveguides. Such conductive connections 5 in a preferred embodiment of a plug S according to the invention are preferably shown in FIGS. 4-6. However, a connector S according to the invention is also provided, in which the module 6 has no conductive connection 5 to an output 3 and / or input 3, 12. For example, if module 6 is only used to record data using integrated sensors (eg: temperature, humidity, seismic Activities, radioactive radiation, etc.) and forwarding them via radio interface (e.g.: GSM, GPRS, UMTS, wireless LAN) or optical interface (optocoupler). It is provided to use the connector S according to the invention, equipped with a microphone and loudspeaker, as an intercom using the power supply network or a radio interface.

In a further embodiment of the plug according to the invention, an acoustic signal transmitter is provided, which can be used as a door bell using the power supply network and / or a radio interface. Another intended application is the reception and forwarding of biometric data from a living being, which is equipped with appropriate sensors and transmitters, and which moves freely in suitably prepared premises.

The internal module 6 is used to control a connected consumer, e.g. the control of the voltage output by an integrated socket (second input and / or first output 3). The module 6 can be controlled via the data interface with all of its possible designs. It is also envisaged to operate an external device according to a pre-programmed scheme. For this purpose it can be provided to program the module 6 by means of an interface and then to let it work automatically.

Since the air is also an interface, voice control is provided to control the internal module 6. In the simplest case, this means that a connected consumer can be activated, or, connected to an installation bus, the lights can be switched on or the doors locked. The integration of a speech pattern recognition for identifying a speaker is also provided. In a further embodiment of the connector S according to the invention it is provided that the connector S is used as part of an audio / video multiroom system. Music and / or video signals are received by a decoder module 6 in the connector S, extracted and via appropriate audio (e.g.: Chinch, XLR, DUN, jack connector) modulated by an encoder onto the power supply network or transmitted by a transmitter via a radio interface ) and / or video outputs (e.g.: VHS, S-VHS, SCART, VGA) to sound (e.g.: speakers, headphones) and / or image playback devices (e.g.: TV, projector). A particular advantage of such a solution is that in this way the entire audio / video cabling, which is very complex in multi-room systems, can be dispensed with. The control functions can also be transferred in this way become. If active loudspeakers are used, they can also be supplied with current via plug S according to the invention.

The internal module 6 is intended to be used for displaying data. Connected to a network, a large amount of data can be illustrated via appropriately designed user interfaces. All possible types of visual display are used, such as: LCD, plasma display, TFT, LED, as well as touchscreens or analog display instruments. For this purpose, it is provided that at least one viewing window and / or openings 8 are provided in the second connector housing 1. It is provided to use a display which automatically detects the position of the rotatable second connector housing 1 and always a desired, i.e. does not represent an upside-down or sideways image. It is preferably provided that, in addition to general data such as the time of day, building technology data, which e.g. received via a house installation bus, such as: the climate information in individual rooms, the status of any alarm system, also, e.g. messages received via SMS, news reports or sports results are displayed. Connected to a data interface, it is provided that the internal module 6 communicates with other modules 6 in other devices or plugs S according to the invention. It is provided to integrate sensors such as: presence sensors, light barriers, water alarms, fire alarms or temperature sensors in the connector S according to the invention. This enables a house management system to be integrated into an existing installation environment in a simple and cost-effective manner.

Through the openings 8 already mentioned in the second connector housing 1, a user can interact with the internal module 6, and in this way configure or program the module 6. Since this is only useful or possible for simple applications, it is provided, provided that no data interface is available, that the internal module 6 can be configured using PCMCIA plug-in cards or flash memory cards. In addition, it may be necessary to completely replace a module 6, therefore it is provided that at least one of the modules 6 is detachably arranged in the connector 1, in particular by arrangement in a receptacle, preferably by arrangement in a receptacle for PCMCIA plug-in cards or flash -Memory cards (e.g. Compact Flash, Memory Stick). It is also provided to execute a module 6 itself in the form of PCMCIA plug-in cards or flash memory cards. It can be provided that the module 6 can be inserted and / or removed in a compartment or the like without opening the plug S. Another possibility to replace the module 6 is to open the second connector housing 1, so it is expedient that the first connector housing 2 and / or the second connector housing 1 is made in several parts. In applications in which a later intervention in the module 6 can be ruled out, this solution is cheaper than the provision of a receptacle for receiving a module 6. In a preferred embodiment of a plug S according to the invention, the second plug housing 1 is divided into an upper shell 7 and a lower shell 9.

Furthermore, provision can be made to protect the first plug-in housing 2 and / or the second plug-in housing 1 from unauthorized access or manipulation by wrapping or extrusion coating. In the case of multi-part second connector housings 1, provision is made for the bearing or parts of the bearing (split bearing) of the first connector housing 2 in the second connector housing 1 to be provided in each housing part.

Since the rotation of the second connector housing 1 with respect to the first connector housing 2 stresses the connection 5 between inputs 12, 3, outputs 3 and modules 6 and can affect it, it is intended to limit the range of rotation. Therefore, means for limiting the range of rotation, preferably at least one limiting web 11 and / or at least one limiting ring 10 on the first connector housing 2 and / or on the second connector housing 1, are provided. In principle, any suitable means for limiting the range of rotation can be provided at this point. These are preferably similar in type and design to that shown in FIGS. 7-9.

In order to reliably lock the set rotation of the two connector housings relative to one another, means for inhibiting the rotatability of the first connector housing 2 in the second connector housing 1, preferably latching and / or clamping, are provided. Any known means of inhibiting rotatability can be used.

The volume of the second connector housing 1 is preferably 2-5 times as large as the volume of the first connector housing 2.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Plug (S) with at least a first input (12), the first input (12) comprising plug contacts for connection to a network, and a first plug housing (2), characterized in that the first plug housing (2) in one second connector housing (1) is rotatably mounted, and at least one second input and / or at least one output (3) is provided, the second input and / or the output (3) being designed as a socket and / or as an interface for data transmission.

2. Plug according to claim 1, characterized in that the first input (12) - in a manner known per se - comprises at least one plug contact (14), and that the first plug housing (2) and / or second plug housing (1) in one Plane essentially normal to the longitudinal extent of the plug contact (14) and / or in a plane essentially parallel to the longitudinal extent of the plug contact (14) can be rotated.

3. Plug according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the first connector housing (2) and / or the second connector housing (1) is made in several parts.

4. Plug according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least one interface for data transmission as an interface for Internet (TCP -ff), PCMCIA, SCSI, LAN, USB, FireWire, EIB, LON, Powerline, RS-232 , Infrared, radio, wireless LAN, Bluetooth, GSM, GPRS, UMTS, sound, ultrasound, TosLink, mini plug, is trained.

5. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that in the second connector housing (1) at least one internal module (6) for control and / or display is arranged.

6. Plug according to claim 5, characterized in that at least one of the modules (6) is detachably arranged in the plug (S), in particular by arrangement in a receptacle, preferably by arrangement in a receptacle for PCMCIA plug-in cards or flash memory Cards.

7. Plug according to one of claims 5 to 6, characterized in that at least one of the modules (6) with the first input (12), the second input and / or output (3) is conductively connected.

8. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that in the second connector housing (1) at least one viewing window and / or openings (8) are provided.

9. Plug according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that means for limiting the range of rotation, preferably at least one limiting web (11) and / or at least one limiting ring (10) on the first connector housing (2) and / or on the second connector housing ( 1) are provided.

10. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that means for inhibiting the rotatability of the first connector housing (2) in the second connector housing (1), preferably notches and / or terminals, are provided.