WO2020077371A1

WO2020077371A1 - Socket

Info

Publication number: WO2020077371A1
Application number: PCT/AT2018/060249
Authority: WO
Inventors: Selmir AHMIC
Original assignee: Ahmic Selmir
Priority date: 2018-10-19
Filing date: 2018-10-19
Publication date: 2020-04-23
Also published as: HUE059498T2; SI3830908T1; EA202191041A1; EP3830908A1; LT3830908T; ES2923455T3; PL3830908T3; DK3830908T3; HRP20220878T1; EP3830908B1

Abstract

Socket (1) for a mains plug with at least two contact pins, comprising: a base (2) which, on an outer face (3), has at least two female connectors (4) for receiving in each case one contact pin; a cover (10) which is mounted on the base (2) such that it can move between a closed position, in which it closes the female connectors (4), and an open position, in which it exposes the female connectors (4); a collar (8) which is mounted on the base (2) such that it can move between a retracted position, in which it lies substantially flush with said outer face (3), and an extended position, in which it projects from the outer face (3), surrounding the latter in the manner of a collar; and a coupling mechanism which couples the cover (10) to the collar (8) and is designed such that the cover is in the closed position when the collar (8) is retracted and is in the open position when the collar (8) is extended.

Description

socket

The present invention relates to a socket for egg NEN plug with at least two contact pins, comprising a base that has at least two sockets for receiving a contact pin on an outside.

In conventional sockets, a rigid collar is arranged around the base as a protection against accidental contact in order to avoid inadvertent touching of the contact pins of the plug when the contact pins are inserted into the sockets and thus to avoid the risk of an electric shock. The base with the sockets thus forms the bottom of a socket formed by the base and collar, into which the power plug is inserted. The height of the collar above the outside of the base (the “socket bottom”) is approximately as long as the length of the contact pins in order to ensure protection against contact. In some connector types, protective contact springs are also arranged on the inner circumference of the collar, which protect contacts when the mains plug is inserted of the power plug are contacted before the contact pins of the power plug enter the sockets in order to first ground the device connected via the power plug before it is supplied with power.

The insertion depth of the contact sockets on the base of the socket and the height of the collar, which serves as protection against contact and grounding, mean that the socket is very large, usually at least twice the length of the contact pin. When the socket is flush-mounted, a correspondingly deep recess is therefore required in the wall; when it is surface-mounted, the socket protrudes far from the wall, which is a hindrance and makes the socket susceptible to damage. If the socket is installed in an extension cable or a power strip, it takes up a lot of space in sales, transport and storage. The invention has the goal of overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art and to create a particularly compact, space-saving socket.

This goal is achieved with a socket of the type mentioned ge, which is characterized according to the invention by:

a cover which is movably mounted on the base between a closed position in which it closes the sockets and an open position in which it releases the sockets,

a collar which is movably mounted on the base between a retracted position, in which it is essentially flush with the genann th outside, and an extended position, in which it projects from the outside in a collar-like manner, and

a coupling mechanism with the cover coupling mechanism which is designed so that the cover is in the closed position when the collar is retracted and in the open position when the collar is extended.

The invention provides a socket in which the collar serving as protection against contact and optional grounding of the socket can be moved relative to the base (socket bottom) of the socket, so that it can be moved when the socket is not in use. At the same time, the socket cover coupled with the movement of the collar prevents the plug from being inserted in the retracted position of the collar, so that the risk of unintentional contact with exposed current-carrying contact pins of the plug is eliminated. As a result, the overall height of the socket can be reduced by up to half without sacrificing operational reliability.

As a result, an outlet is created that only needs half the space in sales, installation and when not in use. This not only cuts storage and transport costs by half, but also enables completely new ones Areas of application for flush mounting or installations in shallow recesses, for example in furniture construction, or for surface mounting, in which the socket protrudes only a little obstructive and therefore less susceptible to damage. For example, a group of sockets according to the invention can be surface-mounted over a single wall socket without projecting significantly from the wall.

The collar is preferably equipped with at least one protective contact spring. The (at least one) protective contact spring of the collar can be electrically connected to a corresponding ground connection of the base, for example, via a connecting cable. However, it is particularly expedient if the protective contact spring is electrically connected to a ground connection of the base via a sliding contact in order to avoid a cable connection which is expensive to manufacture and prone to failure.

The sliding contact can, for example, directly form the ground connection of the socket. In the case of, for example, two protective contact springs, each sliding on a sliding contact, the two sliding contacts can also be connected to one another and form the ground connection of the socket.

The cover optionally sealing the bushings can be made in any manner known in the art. In example, the cover - in the manner of conventional child safety devices - can be formed by a plate which can be rotated parallel to the outside of the base and has openings which can be brought into and out of alignment with the sockets. The cover is preferably a spring-loaded slider, which is slidably mounted in the base parallel to the outside thereof. The slider can be equipped with corresponding openings, which can be brought into and out of alignment with the bushings, in order to optionally lock and release them, and can be coupled particularly easily with the movement of the collar. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the coupling mechanism is formed by a link on one of the two parts cover and collar on the one hand and a control cam interacting with the link on the other of the two parts cover and collar on the other. In the case of a slider, the backdrop can be, for example, a ramp on the slide and the control cam a projection on the collar that slides on the ramp, which results in a stable, fault-free construction.

The movement of the collar can be initiated in various ways. In the simplest case, the collar - for example on a grip tab - can be pulled out by hand into its extended position and pulled over the contact pins of the power plug. In the pulled-out position of the collar, the power plug can be inserted into the then opened sockets while the collar is still being held by hand; As soon as the contact pins of the power plug enter the sockets, the cover blocked by the contact pins in their open position holds the collar in the extended position so that it can be released.

Alternatively, a wide variety of mechanisms can be provided for, so to speak, "automatic" extension of the collar. In a first embodiment, the collar is resiliently pretensioned into the extended position and can be temporarily locked in the retracted position by means of a releasable latch. If the latch is, for example, in is designed in the manner of a snap-in or snap-out button, the collar can be extended by tapping it and retracted by pushing it back.

The latch, which holds the resiliently biased collar in the retracted position, can also be triggered in a manner other than by tapping the collar, for example by touching the cover with the contact pins of the power plug when plugged in. For this purpose, the cover can be resilient in the closed position in the socket receiving direction be able to be pushed in and release the latch when pressed in. The cover thus forms, so to speak, a "trigger element" for jumping out of the collar by spring force.

For its inward and outward movement, the collar can be slidably guided directly on the base, in particular if the overall height of the base approximately corresponds to the extension path of the collar. Alternatively, or alternatively, additional guides can be provided for the collar. In a first variant, the base carries, via a spacer, a frame surrounding it, on the outer circumference of which a folded edge of the collar is slidably guided. In a second variant, the base carries a frame from a holder surrounding it, in which the collar is slidably guided and received in the retracted position. In both cases there is a large, stable guidance of the collar, in the second case the frame is also visible from the outside and can be a design element or part of a surrounding cover or housing.

In both variants, the mentioned spacer can be a mounting structure for surface or flush mounting of the plug socket. In particular for surface mounting, the assembly structure can be, for example, a mounting plate which is equipped with electrical connections for the contact sockets and the (optional) contact springs of the socket. The assembly structure can also be a basket, a scaffold or a skeleton that can be used for flush mounting in a wall box.

According to a further preferred feature of the invention, a circumferential seal can be provided between the collar and the frame and / or between the collar and the base in order to prevent the ingress of dust, moisture and splash water into the socket. It is also particularly favorable if a flap is hinged to the base or collar. Such a closure flap can be articulated to that frame in that embodiment of the invention in which the collar is guided in a frame, and by means of an actuating mechanism when it is opened, the collar is moved into its extended position. This represents a further possibility of an "automatic" actuation of the collar, as it were. Opening the flap allows the collar to extend and its closing to retract it.

When using such a frame, in which the collar is guided, the frame can also be used to build or connect several adjacent sockets. In a further aspect, the invention accordingly provides a multiple socket with at least two sockets of the type presented here, which have a frame in which the Kra is guided, the sockets having a common housing which simultaneously forms the frame of the socket.

The invention is explained below with reference to embodiments shown in the beige closed drawings. The drawings show:

Figures la and lb a first embodiment of the Steckdo se of the invention in the retracted position (Fig. la) and in the extended position (Fig. lb) each in a perspective view. 2a and 2b, a second embodiment of the inven tion in the retracted position (Fig. 2a) and in the extended position (Fig. 2b) each in a perspective view;

Figure 3a shows the socket of Figures 2a and 2b in a ge exploded perspective view.

Fig. 3b is a perspective view of the cover of the socket of Fig. 3a;

4a and 4b show a third embodiment of the socket of the invention in an exploded perspective view (FIG. 4a) and in a perspective view in the extended position with the flap open (FIG. 4b);

Fig. 5 shows a fourth embodiment of the socket of the invention in the extended position in a perspective view; and 6a and 6b a multiple socket according to the invention with all sockets in the retracted position (Fig. 6a) and with two sockets in the retracted and in the extended position (Fig. 6b) each in a perspective view.

With reference to FIGS. La to 4b, a socket 1 for a (not shown) power plug has a base 2 which has (at least) two sockets 4 on its outside 3 for receiving contact pins of the power plug. Each socket 4 usually receives one contact pin of the mains plug, and the number and arrangement of the sockets 4 on the outside 3 of the base 2 is, depending on the standard of the mains plug or the socket 1.

The socket 1 is fundamentally suitable for any type of standard, in particular for those plug standards in which protection against contact for the contact pins of the power plug is prescribed, and in particular also grounding, as will be explained in more detail later. Examples of standards for which socket 1 is suitable are e.g. Plug types A to N or CEE series 7, both for household mains voltages from 110 to 250 volts and for three-phase networks e.g. 400 volts. In the case of a "German" type F socket (CEE 7/3 or 7/4), the socket 1 has, for example, two sockets 4 and two diametrical protection springs 23, which will be explained later. However, it is also possible for the socket 1 has three sockets 4, for example if the protective contact of the power plug is also designed as a contact pin, as in plug types B, D or G to N, or also more than three sockets 4, for example in the case of a three-phase socket or in special applications such as charging sockets for electric vehicles which, in addition to the current-carrying sockets and the protective contacts, also carry signal contacts.

The base 2 can, for example, be mounted directly in a flush-mounted wall socket, in a housing, on a wall, etc. and contain connection terminals via which the sockets 4 can be electrically connected to the power supply. The base 2 can but can also be equipped with a mounting structure 5, for example formed integrally with it or mounted on it. The mounting structure 5 can, as shown in FIGS. 3a and 4a, be a mounting plate, with openings 6 for surface mounting and corresponding access openings 7 to the electrical connections of the sockets 4 inside the base 3. Instead of a mounting plate, the mounting structure could 5 but also a basket, scaffolding or skeleton for anchoring the Steckdo se 1 in a wall socket, or the housing of a device, a multiple socket, etc., in or on which the socket 1 is installed.

On the base 2, a collar 8 is movably mounted, namely between a retracted position in which its end face 9 is essentially flush with the outside 3 of the base 2 (see FIGS. La, 2a), and an extended position, in which he projects from the outside 3 collar-like (see Fig. lb, 2b, 4b and 5). In its extended position, the collar 8 serves as protection against contact for the contact pins of the power plug (not shown), as long as they have not yet been fully inserted into the sockets 4.

For this purpose, the extension or cantilever height H of the Kra gene 8 relative to the outside 3 of the base 2 is at least as large as the longest possible exposed electrically conductive length of the contact pins of the power plug. In the case of a type F (CEE 7/3) power plug, the contact pin length is, for example, 19 mm and the collar height H is at least 19 mm. However, since the contact surfaces inside the bushes 4 are generally set back somewhat compared to the outside 3, for example by 1 to 2 mm, the extension height H can also be correspondingly lower. Because the contact pins of the power plug only begin to carry current when they actually touch the inner electrically conductive contact surfaces of the sockets 4. From this point on, the collar 8 should in any case extend so far be sure that accidental touching of the contact pins of the power plug with your fingers is prevented.

Since the yardstick for protection against accidental contact is the size of the user's finger, the extension height H can also be reduced to such an extent that a small gap may remain between the power plug to be inserted and the edge of the collar 8 if the gap is so small that even small children cannot reach into the gap and touch the contact pins on the power plug.

In order to ensure that a power plug can only be inserted into the socket 1 when the collar 8 is in the fully extended contact protection position (FIGS. 1b, 2b, 4b, 5) or in any case has been extended so far that any remaining one Gaps no longer allow unintentional touching of the contact pins of the power plug, the sockets 4 are equipped with a cover 10 in the manner of a "child safety device". The cover 10 closes the sockets 4 in the retracted position of the collar 8 (FIGS. 1 a, 2 a) entirely and releases them fully in the extended position of the collar 8 (FIGS. 1b, 2b, 3b, 5).

The cover 10 is movably mounted on or in the base 2 between its closed and open positions. The movement of the cover 10 is coupled to the movement of the collar 8 via a coupling mechanism (described in more detail later): an extension of the collar 8 moves the cover 10 from the closed to the open position or, conversely, can be opened Cover 10 extend collar 8.

The movements of the cover 10 on the one hand and the collar 8 on the other hand can be linearly or non-linearly coupled via a corresponding gear, so that, for example, intermediate positions are also possible. In an intermediate position, the cover 10 closes the sockets 4 only partially, while the collar 8 is only partially extended. However, since the contact pins of the power plug require an at least almost complete opening of the sockets 4, provides that the contact pins of the power plug can only be inserted into the sockets 4 when at the same time the Kra gene 8 is at least extended so far that an unintentional touching of the current-carrying contact pins is prevented.

Alternatively, the movements of the cover 10 and Kra 8 can also be indirectly coupled or trigger one movement the other. For example, the collar 8 when it reaches its extended position a cover 10 which was still in its closed position can suddenly snap open. It is also possible that the movement coupling of cover 10 and collar 8 is brought about by a third element acting jointly on both cover elements 10 and collar 8, for example a closure flap of the socket (described in more detail later).

The collar 8 can be directly on a direction parallel to its Ausfahrrich R circumferential surface 11 of the base 2 leads, optionally with the interposition of a circumferential seal. Alternatively or additionally, the collar 8 can also be guided on other surfaces of the base 2, for example a frame 12 carried by the base 2 and surrounding it (see FIGS. 2b, 3a), on the outer circumference of which a folded edge 13 of the collar 8 slidably guided is. Here too, a circumferential seal between frame 12 and edge 13 can be provided optionally. The frame 12 can be held by the mounting structure 5, which serves here as a spacer to the base 2.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1a, 1b, 4a, 4b and 5, the collar 8 is guided within a frame 14 surrounding the base 2 at a distance. The frame 14 can also be connected to the base 2, for example in one or more pieces, via the mounting structure 5 serving as a spacer. The frame 14 can in particular also protrude so far that in the retracted position of the collar 8 its outside 14 ^{1 is} flush with the end face 9 of the collar 8 and also the outside 3 of the Socket 2 closes, see Fig. La. Between the frame 14 and collar 8, a circumferential seal can optionally be arranged.

3a and 3b show a possible embodiment of the cover 10 in the form of a slide 15 which is displaceably mounted in the base 2 parallel to the outside 3 thereof. The slide 15 is inserted, for example, into a side slot 16 of the base 2 and by means of springs 17 which support in base 2, biased into its open position. The slide 15 is provided with openings 18 or recesses 19, which can be brought into and out of alignment with the bushings 4 during its displacement movement in order to open and close them.

The slider 15 serving as cover 10 is coupled in motion to the collar 8 via a link control. In the present case, this link control or this coupling mechanism comprises a link in the form of a ramp 20 at one end of the slide 15 on the one hand and a control cam or link tappet in the form of a projection 21 (FIG. 4a) on the collar 8 on the other hand. When the collar 8 is retracted, the projection 21 presses on the ramp 20 and urges it to the side or rides it up, as a result of which the slider 15 presses against the force of the springs 14 into the base 2 and its openings 18 or recesses 19 are out of alignment brought with the sockets 4. In the retracted position of the collar 8, the cover 10 is thus in its closed position.

Of course, all other types of Ku lissen controls between cover 10 and collar 8 are possible. For example, the cover 10 can be a parallel to the outside 3 of the base 2 rotatably mounted plate therein with corresponding recesses or openings 18, 19, and the backdrop control can be made of appropriately curved backdrops. The backdrop of such a backdrop control can also be arranged on the collar 8 and the control cam or backdrop tappet on the cover 10. Instead of setting controls, any gear between collar 8 and cover can also be used 10 are provided, which couple their movements, for example, gear transmissions, lever transmissions, belt drives, etc.

Another possibility of coupling motion between the collar 8 and the cover 10 is that the socket 1 is provided with an openable flap 22 (FIG. 4b) which is articulated on one side on the frame 14, for example. Via a gear (not shown), the flap 22 can extend the collar 8 when opening and at the same time move the cover 10 into the open position, and conversely, when the flap 22 closes, retract the collar 8 and have the cover 10 closed.

In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the collar 8 can optionally be equipped with one or more protective contact springs 23, depending on the plug standard. In connectors of type E or F, for example, two protective contact springs 23 are located on opposite inner circumferential sides of the collar 8 in corresponding recesses. The protective contact springs 23 can be connected, for example, via cables (not shown) to a corresponding ground connection in the base 2, which e.g. is accessible via the opening 7 of the base 2 or the mounting structure 5. As shown in FIGS. 3a and 4a, instead of connection cables to sliding contacts 24 can be used, which during the retracting and extending movement of the collar 8 provide a continuous electrical contact between the protective contact springs 23 mounted on the collar 8 and the grinding mounted on the base 2 Make contacts 24. The sliding contacts 24 can be connected to each other in the So ckel 2 and with an earth connection, for example also as a one-piece stamping and bending part.

The collar 8 can optionally be designed in the manner of a push button or push button which is spring-biased in its extended position by means of springs 25 and can be temporarily locked in its retracted position by means of a detachable latch (not shown). By tapping in the retracted position the collar can be locked out of the Detent are triggered and jumps to its extended position; conversely, the collar 8 can be moved from its extended position back into its retracted position by pushing in against the force of the springs 25 and then locked in place on the latch.

Optionally, the cover 10 can be used as a trigger element for the release of a latch, which holds the collar 8 in its locked retracted position. For example, in its closed position, the cover 10 can be accommodated slightly in the bushing direction, i.e. against the collar extension direction R, be resilient. If an attempt is made to insert the contact pins of a power plug into the sockets 4, the contact pins thus press the closed cover 10 slightly inwards in a springy manner. This slight retracting movement of the closed cover 10 can be used to trigger a latch, which holds the collar 8 in its temporarily locked driving position, so that the collar 8 springs into its extended position by spring force, which in turn covers 10 in moved their open position.

While the inner circumference of the collar 8 is essentially due to the connector standard used, the outer circumference of the collar 8 can be of any shape, for example also cylindrical as in the embodiment of FIG. 5. Also the optional frame 14 which surrounds the collar 8 , can have any shape, e.g. as shown in Fig. 5, the shape of a cover plate when the socket 1 is to be installed in a wall opening, a device housing, etc. With a screw 2 ', the base 2 can be anchored, for example, in such a wall opening, such a device housing or generally in a conventional installation box.

6a and 6b show the installation of a plurality of sockets 1 in a common housing 26 of a multiple socket 27. The frames 14 of the sockets 1 lying next to one another are integrally combined here to form a common frame or form one of the sides of the housing 26. The invention is not limited to the forms shown, but includes all variants, modifications and their combinations, which fall within the scope of the claims closed.

Claims

Claims:

1. Socket (1) for a power plug with at least two contact pins, comprising

a base (2) which has at least two sockets (4) on each outside (3) for receiving one contact pin each,

marked by

a cover (10) which is movably mounted on the base (2) between a closed position in which it closes the bushings (4) and an open position in which it releases the bushes (4),

a collar (8) on the base (2) between a retracted position, in which it is essentially flush with said outside (3), and an extended position, in which it projects from the outside (3) like a collar surrounds, is movably mounted, and

a coupling mechanism coupling the cover (10) to the collar (8), which is designed so that the cover is in the closed position when the collar (8) is retracted and in the open position when the collar (8) is extended.

2. Socket according to claim 1, characterized in that the collar (8) is equipped with at least one protective contact spring (23).

3. Socket according to claim 2, characterized in that the protective contact spring (23) via a sliding contact (24) with a ground connection of the base (2) is electrically connected.

4. Socket according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cover (10) is a spring-loaded slide (15), which is displaceably mounted in the base (2) parallel to its outer side (3).

5. Socket according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the coupling mechanism by a Kulis se on one of the two parts cover (10) and collar (8) on the one hand and a cooperating with the backdrop control- on the other of the two parts cover (10) and collar (8) is formed on the other.

6. Socket according to claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the backdrop is a ramp (20) on the slide (15) and the control cam is a projection (21) on the collar (8) which slides on the ramp (20) .

7. Socket according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the collar (8) is resiliently biased into the extended position and can be temporarily locked in the retracted position by means of a releasable latch.

8. Socket according to claim 7, characterized in that the cover (10) in the closed position in the receptacle direction can be resiliently pressed in and releases the latch when pressed in.

9. Socket according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the base (2) via a spacer (5) carries a frame (12) surrounding it, on the outer circumference of which a folded edge (13) of the collar (8) is slidably guided.

10. Socket according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the base (2) via a spacer (5) carries a frame (14) surrounding it, in which the collar (8) slidably guided and opened in the retracted position is taken.

11. Socket according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the spacer (5) is a mounting structure for surface or flush mounting of the socket (1).

12. Socket according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that a circumferential seal is provided between the collar (8) and the frame (12, 14).

13. Socket according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that a circumferential seal is provided between the collar (8) and the base (2).

14. Socket according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that a closure flap (22) is articulated on the base (2) or the collar (8).

15. Socket according to claim 14 in conjunction with claim 10, characterized in that the closure flap (22) on

Frame (14) of the base (2) is articulated and the collar (8) is moved into its extended position via an actuating mechanism when it is opened.

16. Multiple socket, with at least two sockets according to one of claims 1 to 15 each in conjunction with claim 10, characterized in that the sockets (1) have a common housing (26) which the frame (14) of the sockets (1) forms.