DK2223392T3

DK2223392T3 - ELECTRICAL INSTALLER

Info

Publication number: DK2223392T3
Application number: DK08864944.7T
Authority: DK
Inventors: Richard Vicktorius
Original assignee: Merten Gmbh
Priority date: 2007-12-21
Filing date: 2008-12-17
Publication date: 2019-04-29
Also published as: RU2010130490A; BRPI0821399B1; AU2008340914B2; PL2223392T3; EP2223392A1; RU2491688C2; WO2009079998A1; ES2720139T3; BRPI0821399A2; CN101926059A; CN101926059B; AU2008340914A1; DE102007063587B4; DE102007063587A1; EP2223392B1

Description

The invention relates to an electrical service device in accordance with the precharacterizing clause of Patent Claim 1.

Such electrical service devices are used in buildings services engineering both in the initial installation phase and in the refitting sector. It is often important to be able to functionally modify the respective electrical service device. For this reason, it has proven to be advantageous to provide corresponding assemblies which can be fitted additionally to the existing device, if required.

The prior art, for example EP 0 281 969 BI, has disclosed a service device in which such an assembly can be fastened at the rear. One disadvantage with this is that the service device needs to be released and removed from the stationary installation enclosure once the front element has been removed in order to be able to gain access to the rear side and to be able to fit the assembly. Such arrangements and methods entail increased complexity in terms of fitting and are not particularly practicable. GB 2 303 259 A, EP 0 984 526 A2 and DE 38 02 956 Al disclose further electrical service devices having fastenable modules.

The object of the present invention therefore consists in eliminating the abovementioned disadvantages and providing an extendable service device which is friendly in terms of fitting and convenient.

This object is achieved by the features specified in Patent Claim 1. Advantageous configurations result from the dependent claims .

The invention according to Patent Claim 1 has the advantage that a universally usable service device is provided which can be modified easily with a suitable modular assembly, if required.

It is essential here that, in order to modify the service device, only the function-specific front element needs to be removed in order to be able to insert or replace the module. It is not necessary for the device cap or the supporting frame to be dismantled from the stationary installation enclosure, which results in a considerable advantage in terms of installation.

The generally provided structure of device caps, in particular of the dimensions thereof and the fastening and contact points thereof, remains unchanged. Thus, the function-specific front elements, for example, can continue to be used within a production line when replacing an existing service device. A cylindrical accommodating area with a base surface in the form of a segment of a circle for the module is provided within the device cap in one piece by means of a bottom plate and an inner wall as well as a radial outer wall. The accommodating area is arranged at the edge of the device cap. No additional space is required in front of or behind the device cap for arranging the module. Instead, an advantageous arrangement of component parts makes it possible to provide the accommodating area within the existing structure of the device cap, with the result that the module can be fitted at the front and can be integrated flush with the surface in the device cap.

Advantageously, an unused accommodating area is closed off at the front by a removable cover in order firstly to ensure protection against electric shock and secondly to prevent damage or deposits. Furthermore, a visually advantageous closed surface in the device cap results. Prior to the insertion of a module, the function-specific front element and the cover are removed, it being possible, if appropriate, for the cover to be fitted again without the module when used at a later point.

The module fits into the accommodating area in interlocking fashion and is fixed therein in latching fashion in the end position. The interlocking connection between the accommodating area and the module enables positively guided and therefore coded plugging. The module is inserted into the accommodating area as far as the stop without any deflections with an entirely guided, linearly sliding fitting movement. Handles are integrally formed on the front side of the module to enable simple handling.

The electrical contact between the module and the contact elements of the device cap is made as the module is fitted automatically and with protection against electric shock in the bottom region of the accommodating area. The contact elements on the module and in the accommodating area are arranged in mutually complementary free spaces, grooves and cutouts in such a way as to prevent touching contact being made with said contact elements and to prevent said contact elements from being damaged. The complementary forms, in addition to the positively guided plugging of the module, also facilitate correct contactmaking with the contact elements.

The modules contain in particular optical, mechanical and/or electrical components. In addition to conventional installation technology, the use of bus technologies is also possible here. In addition to wired components, wireless components are also conceivable here for data transmission by means of radio or infrared signals, for example.

The modules can perform a wide variety of functions and form functionally self-enclosed assemblies, with the result that it is not necessary for any changes to be made to the device cap. In particular, there are modules which are used depending on the application case, for example surge protection modules, indicator and lighting modules, alarm modules, data processing modules or mechanical function modules. Furthermore, the system voltage entering at the rear from the contact elements towards the front side can be converted in the modules into any desired lower voltage or another form of energy. Visual state messages can be produced via light elements formed at the front of the module. In addition, acoustic signaling is possible.

One possible embodiment of the electrical service device is a socket outlet with a surge protection module which can be optionally installed.

Further details, features and advantages of the invention are given in the description below relating to a preferred exemplary embodiment with reference to the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a service device with a front element and a cover.

Figure 2 shows a front-side view of a service device without the cover and without the module.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the service device from figure 2 without the release elements.

Figure 4 shows a front-side view of a module.

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the module from figure 4.

Figure 6 shows a further perspective view of the module from figure 4.

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the service device and the module prior to fitting.

Figure 8 shows a front-side view of the service device with the module inserted.

Identical or functionally identical component parts have been provided with the same reference symbols in the description below.

The design and the mode of operation of the service device 1 according to the invention will be described in more detail below. By way of example, in this case a service device 1 in the form of a socket outlet which is populated with a module 2 for surge protection has been illustrated.

The service device 1 has a device cap 3, which is in principle circular and in the form of a block and is made from insulating materials. An annular supporting frame 4, which is preferably fastened in latching fashion, surrounds the device cap 3 on the outside. The supporting frame 4 is manufactured either from metallic or from nonmetallic materials, preferably plastic. Radially opposite this, claw-like fastening means (not illustrated in any more detail) are provided on the device cap 3 or on the supporting frame 4, said claw-like fastening means making it possible to fasten the service device 1 in a stationary installation enclosure (not illustrated) . Preferably, the device cap 3 and the supporting frame 4 form an assembly unit. A function-specific front element 5 is fastened at the front and can be in one or more parts, depending on the application. (Figure 1)

Metallic contact elements 8 and 9, into which plug pins of a device plug (not illustrated) are plugged at the front and which are connected to supply lines at the rear via connection terminals 10 and 11, are arranged in the device cap 3 under so-called release elements 6 and 7. Furthermore, a grounding clip 12, which is bent a plurality of times, is arranged in the device cap 3, said grounding clip serving the purpose of making contact with a grounding contact of the device plug at the front and being connected to a grounding conductor via a corresponding connection terminal 13 at the rear.

The two contact elements 8 and 9 are fastened in correspondingly shaped chambers 14 and 15 in the center of the device cap 3. The connection terminals 10, 11 are electrically conductively connected, preferably in latching fashion, to the associated contact element 8, 9 and are arranged uniformly in a connection region 16 of the device cap 3. On the radially opposite side, an accommodating area 19, which extends in cylindrical fashion and has a base surface 20 in the form of a segment of a circle formed by a rear-side bottom plate 21, is formed within the integral device cap 3 by a radial outer wall 17 and a straight inner wall 18. (Figures 2 and 3)

As shown in figure 1, in the unpopulated state, a removable cover 22 closes off this accommodating area 19, with the cover 22 being arranged flush with the surface with respect to the release elements 6 and 7. Latching tabs 23, which serve the purpose of fixing the module 2, are located on the bottom plate 21 within the accommodating area 19. In the accommodating area 19, the chambers 14 and 15 of the contact elements 8 and 9 extend on the bottom side. The grounding clip 12 is arranged between the two contact elements 8 and 9 and runs initially on the bottom side and then bent back perpendicularly along the outer wall 17 in the accommodating area 19. A module 2 can be inserted into this accommodating area 19 in interlocking fashion.

As shown in figures 4 to 6, the module 2 is made from an insulating material and has a cylindrical three-dimensional extent, beginning with a base surface 24 in the form of a segment of a circle from which a straight wall 25 and a bent wall 26 extend, which walls are closed off by a cover 27. Various cutouts, recesses and shoulders are formed in or on the walls 25 and 26. Various component parts, for example varistors, gas discharge arresters, a printed circuit board, resistors, light elements and contact elements, are arranged in the module 2. As a result, it is possible to realize a surge protection unit, for example .

Two varistors 28 are located circumferentially on the bent wall 26 of the module 2 and below a centrally arranged printed circuit board (not illustrated in any more detail, the wall 26 having recesss 29 in regions for cooling component parts. Resistors and light elements are arranged above the printed circuit board. Free spaces 30 and 31 are formed on the base surface 24 of the module 2, with contact pins 32 and 33 being guided in protected fashion out of the module 2 in said free spaces 30 and 31, it being possible for electrical contact to be made between said contact pins 32 and 33 and the contact elements 8 and 9 of the device cap 3. A groove 34 is formed between the free spaces 30 and 31, with a contact pin 35 protruding into said groove, said contact pin 35 making contact with the grounding clip 12 running in the device cap 3. Furthermore, a through-bore 36 is arranged in the module 2, with the result that it is also possible to realize a socket outlet variant with a grounding pin, with the arrangement of the contact pin 35 and the manner in which contact is made with the contact pin 35 remaining the same. Notches 37 for latching engagement with the latching tabs 23 of the bottom plates 21 are formed within the groove 34.

On the upper side of the module 2, preferably on the cover 27, protrusions 38 are formed which facilitate the process of plugging in and possibly removing the module 2. Furthermore, a pin-shaped shoulder 39 is located at the edge on the upper side of the module 2 in order to be able to conduct light signals from the module 2 in a targeted manner to indicator elements in the front element 5. For this purpose, at least the shoulder 39 is made from a light-conducting material, such as PC or PMMA, for example. A light element in the form of an LED 40 is arranged in a cutout 41. In addition, a projection 42 is formed in the cover 27 in order to accommodate, in interlocking fashion, mechanical devices of the front element 5, for example elements with increased protection against electric shock. Furthermore, a bent-back shoulder 43, in which an additional contact 44 is formed in protected fashion, is located on the straight wall 25 of the module 2.

The fitting and operation of the service device 1 will be described briefly below. (Figures 7 and 8) A basic version of a service device 1 comprises a device cap 3 equipped with the contact elements 8 and 9 and the grounding clip 12, and the supporting frame fastened thereto. The accommodating area 19 is closed off by a cover 22 and there is no module 2 located therein. Such a unit is conventionally connected to supply lines in an installation box by means of the connection terminals 10, 11, 13 and fixed by the claw-like fastening means. Finally, the front element 5 is fastened.

If required, the electrical service device 1 is subsequently modified, for example in order to integrate surge protection. For this purpose, the front element 5 and then the cover 22 of the device cap 3 are removed. As a result of the interlocking connection, it is possible for a module 2 to be pushed linearly into the accommodating area 19 in the form of a segment of a circle until it comes to a stop, without becoming jammed. In the process, automatically said module 2 is both mechanically latched and electrical contact is made therewith, without it being necessary for the service unit 1 to be removed or without any additional connection work being required. At the front, the module 2 is arranged so as to be flush with the surface with respect to the release elements 6 and 7 after fitting. Only the protrusions 38 protrude, but terminate with the supporting frame 4 .

During the fitting operation, the latching tabs 23 protruding from the bottom plate 21 of the accommodating area 19 latch in the notches 37 in the module 2. The contact pins 32 and 33 slide into the contact elements 8 and 9 by virtue of the interlocking interaction between the chambers 14 and 15 and the free spaces 30 and 31. The contact made with the contact pins 32 and 33 in the contact elements 8 and 9 remains when contact is made with plug pins of a device plug in the same contact elements 8 and 9 without any mechanical interaction. The contact pin 35 slides into a module location 45 in the grounding clip 12, the grounding clip 12 being surrounded by the groove 34. The additional contact 44 is positioned in the vicinity of the contact element 8.

When a supply voltage is applied, the surge protection is active. A correctly plugged device plug brings the contact element 8 which is springing back to bear against the additional contact 44, with the result that this normal state is indicated by a green light, which is guided towards the outside, for example into the front element 5, via the light-conducting shoulder 39 or via the LED 40. In the event of tripping at an excessively high voltage which is destructive for the device, the surge protection module 2 is triggered. The light becomes red, with it optionally being possible for an acoustic alarm to be triggered.

In this case, the module 2 needs to be replaced since it has been irreversibly destructed by the surge. For this purpose, the module 2 is drawn against the protrusions 38, with the latching tabs 23 springing back into the notches 37 so as to enable removal. If a replacement is not immediately available, the accommodating area 19 can be closed again by the cover 22 until a new module is inserted.

The description above relating to the exemplary embodiment is only used for illustrative purposes and not for the purposes of restricting the invention.

List of reference symbols 1 Service device 2 Module 3 Device cap 4 Supporting frame 5 Front element 6 Release element 7 Release element 8 Contact element 9 Contact element 10 Connection terminal 11 Connection terminal 12 Grounding clip 13 Connection terminal 14 Chamber 15 Chamber 16 Connection region 17 Outer wall 18 Inner wall 19 Accommodating area 20 Base surface of 19 21 Bottom plate 22 Cover 23 Latching tab 24 Base surface of 2 25 Wall 26 Wall 27 Cover 28 Varistor 29 Recess 30 Free space 31 Free space 32 Contact pin 33 Contact pin 34 Groove 35 Contact pin 36 Through-bore 37 Notch 38 Protrusions 39 Shoulder

40 LED 41 Cutout 42 Projection 43 Shoulder 44 Additional contact 45 Module location

Claims

1. Elektrisk installationsapparat (1) bestående af en apparatsokkel (3), hvor i apparatsoklen (3) anbragte kontaktelementer (8, 9, 12) fra en bagside af apparatsoklen (3) kan tilsluttes til en netspænding, af en på apparatsoklen (3) fastgjort bæreramme (4), af et funktionsspecifikt frontelement (5), der kan fastgøres på en frontside af apparatsoklen (3), og af et modul (2) , som om nødvendigt kan eftermonteres og kan fastgøres på apparatsoklen (3), kendetegnet ved, at apparatsoklen (3) har et optagerum (19), som på bagsiden er begrænset af en bundplade (21) til apparatsoklen (3) og på omkredsens side af vægge (17, 18) til apparatsoklen (3), og i hvilket der efter fjernelse af det funktionsspecifikke frontelement (5) på frontsiden kan indstikkes et separat modul (2) .An electrical installation apparatus (1) comprising an apparatus socket (3), in which the contact elements (8, 9, 12) located in the apparatus socket (3) can be connected from a rear of the apparatus socket (3) to a mains voltage, by one on the apparatus socket (3). ) fixed support frame (4), of a function-specific front element (5) which can be fixed to a front side of the device base (3) and of a module (2) which can be retrofitted and can be fixed to the device base (3) if necessary. the apparatus base (3) having a receiving space (19) which is confined at the rear by a base plate (21) to the apparatus base (3) and on the circumferential side of walls (17, 18) to the apparatus base (3), and in which a separate module (2) can be inserted after removing the function-specific front element (5) on the front side.

2. Elektrisk installationsapparat ifølge krav 1, kendetegnet ved, at bundpladen (21) og væggene (17, 18) er udformet i ét stykke på apparatsoklen (3) .Electrical installation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the base plate (21) and the walls (17, 18) are formed in one piece on the apparatus base (3).

3. Elektrisk installationsapparat ifølge et af de foregående krav, kendetegnet ved, at optagerummet (19) er udformet cylindrisk og har en cirkelsegmentagtig grundflade (20).Electrical installation apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving space (19) is cylindrical in shape and has a circular segment-like surface (20).

4. Elektrisk installationsapparat ifølge et af de foregående krav, kendetegnet ved, at optagerummet (19) befinder sig på apparatsoklens (3) randside.Electrical installation apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recording space (19) is on the edge side of the apparatus base (3).

5. Elektrisk installationsapparat ifølge et af de foregående krav, kendetegnet ved, at der på apparatsoklen (3) er anbragt en afdækning (22), der kan svinges og/eller fjernes, og som lukker optagerummet (19).Electrical installation apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a cover (22) which can be swiveled and / or removed and which closes the recording space (19) is arranged on the apparatus base (3).

6. Elektrisk installationsapparat ifølge et af de foregående krav, kendetegnet ved, at modulet (2) formsluttende udfylder optagerummet (19). Ί. Elektrisk installationsapparat ifølge et af de foregående krav, kendetegnet ved, at modulet (2) er anbragt på frontsiden med plan flade i apparatsoklen (3)Electrical installation apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the module (2) fills the recording space (19) form-fitting. Ί. Electrical installation apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the module (2) is arranged on the front side with a flat surface in the apparatus base (3).

8. Elektrisk installationsapparat ifølge et af de foregående krav, kendetegnet ved, at modulet (2) er løsbart fastgjort i optagerummet (19).Electrical installation apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the module (2) is detachably secured in the recording space (19).

9. Elektrisk installationsapparat ifølge et af de foregående krav, kendetegnet ved, at der ved den mekaniske positionering af modulet (2) i optagerummet (19) sker en automatisk etablering af elektrisk kontakt.Electrical installation apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical positioning of the module (2) in the recording room (19) automatically establishes electrical contact.

10. Elektrisk installationsapparat ifølge et af de foregående krav, kendetegnet ved, at modulet (2) kan forbindes med frontelementet (5) mekanisk, elektrisk eller optisk.Electrical installation apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the module (2) can be connected mechanically, electrically or optically to the front element (5).

11. Elektrisk installationsapparat ifølge et af de foregående krav, kendetegnet ved, at det elektriske installationsapparat (1) er udført som elektrisk stikdåse med et overspændingsbeskyttelsesmodul.Electrical installation apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical installation apparatus (1) is designed as an electrical socket with a surge protector module.