WO2002058196A1

WO2002058196A1 - Electrical network connection device

Info

Publication number: WO2002058196A1
Application number: PCT/NO2001/000493
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hopsö PER
Original assignee: Per Hopsoe
Priority date: 2000-12-12
Filing date: 2001-12-12
Publication date: 2002-07-25
Also published as: NO20006339D0; NO313650B1; NO20006339L

Abstract

Component for a coupling point (socket, switch or the like) of an electrical installation, especially a power supply system for an apartment or an office building. It comprises mainly an electro-mechanical functional element, such as a socket-insert, switch insert, or the like, and a cover (1) which by means of mechanical connecting means such as screws or a plug-/snap-in connection can be fastened at the electro-mechanical functional element. It comprises a cover (1) which contains at least one hollow space (4) which is determined in advance in view of its spatial dimensioning and its arrangement in the cover, and which is provided to incorporate at least one electrical/electronic functional module (movement detector, microphone, temperature sensor, relais, triac transmitter/receiver for RF etc.)

Description

Electrical network connection device.

Component for a connecting point of an electrical installation, especially of a power supply system for a building or the like according to the introductory part of claim 1. With the expression "connecting point" is meant a switch, a socket, a junction box or the like.

Background

There are known conneting points for electrical installations in the form of sockets which serve as power supply, and where the insert or element of the socket is arranged stationary in or on a wall and where the insert or element additionally of contact sleeves serving as power supply for an assigned plug have an electrical/electronic function circuit or mechanical function extension. This additional function coupling and function extension respectively is mounted fixedly to the stationary socket-insert and -element respectively. In this connection for example there are known sockets which contain overvoltage protection. Further there are known sockets which contain an electronic logic circuit for offset current measurement, and there also are known sockets with which an increased touch-guard for children is achieved.

Further there are known sockets for the use in connection with power supply which can be used mobile and which on one hand are provided with a plug which can interact with a corresponding stationary socket and which on the other hand - fixedly mounted to this conneting point - are provided with an additional function element in the form of an electrical timer with which a connection between the plug and the socket part of this mobile socket can be switched.

Finally there also are known stationary coupling points where as the need arises a plug or coupling part of a communcations equipment or the like can be installed, for example a RS-232 port.

Aim

In view of the many new possibilities and requirements being there in the field of modern domestic engineering the main aim of the present invention is to create a constructional simple and in view of manufacturing as well as installation favourable use of the coupling point which goes beyond the use in view of the mere basic function of such coupling point, for example power supply in the case of a socket mentioned above. Solution

For attaining this aim it is suggested to design the arrangement according to the characterizing part of claim 1.

Further advantageous or suitable designings of the fundamental idea of the invention according to claim 1 are quoted in the remaining claims.

Advantages

Compared to the state of the art the advantages which can be achieved with the invention mainly are that with this component a component is created which in addition to a basic function is suitable to create as required one or more further functions in a series of various possible functions. This is done in a way and by means which can help to reduce the total costs for the installation of function elements for the different functions in interaction with a coupling point. In addition the component as for the rest also leads to an visually pleasant appearance for such an extended coupling arrangement including a space-saving total assembly.

A preferred further form of execution of the component according to the invention is mentioned in claim 2. The lid or cover of the component according to the invention is provided with (pre-installed) electrical connecting means in the form of interconnecting cables, plugs, track conductors of so-called printed circuit boards and/or the like which simplify the installation of one or more additional electrical/electronic functional modules within the cover.

Example

With help of the schematic figures 1-9 of the drawing the invention will be explained in greater detail by reference of four examples of execution, where

Fig. 1 shows a front view of a component according to the invention provided for one stationary socket,

Fig. 2 shows a front view of a further component according to the invention for one stationary socket,

Fig. 3 shows a sectional side view of a further component according to the invention which also is provided for one stationary socket,

Fig. 4 shows a sectional view of the component shown in Fig. 3 and made at right angles of this, Fig. 5 shows a sectional front view from above of a further form of execution of a component for a stationary socket, which illustrates an arrangement of modules for a supposed functional unit, Fig. 6 shows a sectional side view through the form of execution shown in Fig. 5, Fig. 7 shows a front view of a further form of execution of a component according to the invention provided for use onto a switch,

Fig. 8 shows a side view of the form of execution shown in Fig. 7, while

Fig. 9 shows in a correspondingly intersected sideview details of coupling a component according to the invention with a switch.

As a component according to the invention Fig. 1 shows a cover 1 for a not shown socket-insert which is mounted within or onto a wall of a building. The cover 1 together with the mentioned socket-insert forms a coupling point or "terminal device" of an electrical installation, so in the case in hand a power supply for an apartment, an office building or the like.

In the area of the outer wall 2 of the cover 1 which turns towards the user of the coupling point a socket-outlet 3 is being located as known per se from mobile terminal devices with an electrical timer. In addition the cover 1 has a hollow space 4 which is provided for the incorporation of at least one electrical/electronic functional module, for example a movement detector. Further examples of such functional units will be given below.

The hollow space 4 outwardly limits a not designated rectangular opening which is covered with a top plate 5. The top plate 5 is fixed to the mentioned socket-insert or to the cover by means of a screw 6. For this purpose the socket-insert or the cover is provided with a correspondingly threaded sleeve. Additionally or instead of this there can be arranged a screw 7, which is put into position just about in the middle of the socket-outlet 3 in the outer wall 2 of the cover 1 and to which - as in the case of the screw 6 - a threaded sleeve is assigned in the flush-mounted or - alternatively - in the surface-mounted socket-insert.

As a component according to the invention Fig. 2 shows a cover 8 for a likewise not shown socket-insert which is fixed within or onto a wall of a building or the like. The cover 8 together with the mentioned socket-insert forms a functionally extended coupling point of a power supply system. In the part 9 of the wall of the cover 8 which turns away from the socket-insert socket-outlets 10 and 11 are being located, where the socket-outlets 10 and 11 correspond to another standard as the socket-outlet 3 according to the form of execution shown in Fig. 1.

Furthermore the cover 8 is provided with a hollow space 12, which is arranged for the incorporation of at least one electrical/electronic functional module, for example a movement detector or the like.

Outwardly the hollow space ends with a not designated opening which is covered with a top plate 13. The top plate 13 is fixed to the mentioned socket-insert by means of a screw 14. For this purpose the socket-insert is provided with a correspondingly threaded sleeve. Additionally or instead of this - and in a corresponding way as the form of execution shown in Fig. 1 - there can be arranged a screw 15 in the area of the two socket-outlets 10, 11 in the wall 9, while the socket-insert is provided with a correspondingly threaded sleeve.

Fig. 3 and 4 show a cover which is provided with a socket-outlet 17 for the coupling of an electrical device or the like and with a hollow space 18 for the incorporation of at least one electrical/electronic functional module, for example a movement detector. The hollow space 18 can be closed by means of a top plate 19. This can be done by putting the top plate 19 in or on to areas of the cover 16 which lie neighbouring to the hollow space 18. Another possibility of fastening the top plate is the use of screws.

At the one side which turns away from the socket-outlet 17 and hollow space 18 the cover 16 is provided with screws 20 and 21 for the fastening of the cover 16 to the not shown electro-mechanical function element. For this purpose the electro-mechanical functional element is provided with threaded sleeves which correspond to the screws 20, 21.

The screws 20, 21 reach through a printed circuit board 40 which can fill the opening between a surrounding sidewall 41 of the cover 16, where the printed circuit board 40 can serve as a basis for a printed coupling and additionally as a support for various functional elements, see Fig. 5. Further the screws 20, 21 are lead through a central supporting plate 42 which serves as a holder for the printed circuit board and additionally as a holder for two pairs of contact-plugs 22, 24 and for an earthing contact 23 which all are provided for interaction with corresponding elements of a socket-insert (not shown) the cover 16 of which is fastened by means of screws 20, 21. The printed circuit board 40 is shown with two erecting elements 43, 44 which for example can be antennas for use with RF-transmission or the like.

Illustrated in Fig. 5 and 6 is an example of a component according to the invention which generally corresponds to the example shown in Fig. 3 and 4, but where an example for making use of the inner space is shown.

Beside the socket-outlet 26 and the hollow space 27 there are placed two electronic components 28 and 29 at one side, one component 30 at the end near the socket-outlet 26 and two components 31, 32 at the other side. In the hollow space 27 there is placed a component 36, for example a movement detector or an IR-sensor, coupled to a contact strip 35. The further components can be fastened to a printed circuit board 40 by soldering of contact cables.

At each end of the printed circuit board there are placed antennas 44, 45 for RF and/or fastening means of the printed circuit board for the incorporation of the printed circuit board (not shown). The components 28-32 can be relais, power supply, Triac, RF-circuits, "Power Line"-circuits etc., see below.

Fig. 7 and 8 show a component according to the invention which is provided to being placed at a switch insert. This contains a cover 46 which forms a hollow space 47 with place for a series of push-button switches 48, 49, 50, 51. Each of the push-button switches 48-51 can be provided with an indicator lamp and can deliver coupling signals over a wireless connection to a control cabinet (not shown) with various switches which can control greater or smaller parts of a light system or the like. In this way instead of one switch at one coupling point there can be achieved a four different switches program in a greater system. There can be indications corresponding to different light adjustments symbolized by "DAY", "EVENING", "NIGHT" and "OFF". So each switch for the certain controlling alternative can couple on and off.

In Fig. 9 there is shown how a component 60 can be mounted to a switch insert 52. The switch insert 52, which can be mounted countersinked (flush-mounted) as in the example or onto a wall (surface-mounted), will be provided with a pair of gripping claws 53 which are provided to hold firmly fixed with a snap-in effect a corresponding pair of straps of a common lid of a switch with built-in rocker element. The component 60 is provided with a pair of straps 54 which are able to grip in with gripping claws in a switch insert. With this the component 60 can be snapped at its place at the switch insert and be held firmly fixed. The straps 54 are fastened to or formed in one piece with a basis plate 55 for the component 60. Within this basis plate there are fastened two pipe sleeves 56, 57, each of them with built-in helical spring 58 for a contact pin 59 which rise down from the basis plate 55 for giving contact with the voltage feed of the switch insert. The basis plate 55 also is provided with a rising element (not shown) which holds the switch insert in the "ON"-position.

Application field

The invention can be used for mounting of various functional elements and circuits into the component according to the invention. These can be RF-circuits for the remote control of a light system. These can be so-called "Power Line" -circuits for the coupling of one or more consumer devices, for example stoves, lamps and the like. These can be various forms of sensors, so as movement detectors, temperature sensors, microphones, photocells, smoke sensors and fire detectors, Lux/Lumen-measuring circiuts. These can be dimmer and other controlling equipment which can be telecommanded.

Any communication can be set up for direct coupling to a PC, possibly over a so-called "Bluetooth-module".

Claims

1. Component for a coupling point (socket, switch or the like) of an electrical installation, especially a power supply system for an apartment, an office building or the like, which coupling point mainly comprises an electro-mechanical functional element such as a socket-insert, switch insert, or the like, and a cover (1) which by means of mechanical connecting means such as screws or a plug-/snap-in connection can be fastened at the electro-mechanical functional element, characterized by a cover (1) which contains at least one hollow space (4) which is determinded in advance in view of its spatial dimensioning and its arrangement in the cover, and which is provided to incorporate at least one electrical/electronic functional module (movement detector, microphone, temperature sensor, relais, triac, transmitter/receiver for RF etc.).

2. Component according to claim 1, characterized in that there are arranged electrical connecting means (cables, pins, track conductors in printed couplings), which lead from one of the electrical couplings to the electro-mechanical functional element (socket-insert, switch insert or the like) in at least one of the hollow spaces (18, 45) in the cover (16).

3. Component according to claim 1, characterized in that a hollow space is accessible from that side of the cover (1) which turns away from the functional element.

4. Component according to claim 1, characterized in that a hollow space is accessible from a side area of the cover.

5. Component according to claim 1, characterized in that the hollow space (4) can be closed by means of a top plate (5).

6. Component according to claim 1, characterized in that the hollow space spaces are formed by a corresponding number of deepenings in the outer wall of the cover.

7. Component according to claim 1, characterized in that the hollow space or spaces are formed of a deepening in one or more inserts which are located in the cover and reach to an opening in the outer wall of the cover, which opening is assigned to an insert and adapted to the outer contours of the insert in the area of the opening in question.

8. Component according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that one hollow space in the direction against the front of the component is limited of a general rectangular opening in the wall of the cover.

9. Component according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover (1) contains mechanical connecting means (screws 6, 7, snap-in pins or the like) which correspond to with mechanical connecting means of the electro-mechanical functional element (socket, switch or the like).

10. Component according to claim 2, characterized in that the cover (16) is provided with electrical contact elements (for example contact springs), which correspond to electrical contact elements (for example contact surfaces) of an electro-mechanical functional element (socket, switch, junction box) and which is coupled to the electrical connecting means (cables, pins, printed tracks conductors on a printed circuit board), which lead to one or more of the hollow spaces (17) in the cover (16).

11. Component according to claim 10, characterized in that the cover (16) contains contact plugs or the like (22-24) which correspond to the electrical contact sleeves of a socket-element.

12. Component according to claim 11, characterized in that to the cover (16) is integrated at least one contact point in the form of a socket (17) and that the cover is provided with electrical contact pins (22-24) with known designing, which corresponds to the snap-in sleeves of the common socket-inserts and which are coupled to electrical connecting means (cables, pins, printed tracks of a printed circuit board) which lead to one or more sockets integrated into the cover.

13. Component according to claim, characterized in that a hollow space (27) of the cover (25) is provided with an electrical coupling strip (3) for the electrical connection of one or more electrical/electronic functional elements (movement detectors etc.) with electrical couplings for the electro-mechanical functional element (socket-insert, switch insert) and/or with one or more additional electrical/electronic functional elements.

14. Component according to claim 5, characterized in that the cover (16) is set up for the clamping of a plate (19) into or onto the cover.

15. Component according to claim 5, characterized in that a top plate on its side which turns towards the electro-mechanical functional element is provided with fastening means to hold fimly fixed one or more electrical/electronic functional elements.