ELECTRICAL HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE WITH CONTACT PROTECTION FOR ELECTRICAL CONTACTS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an electrical device with contact protection for electrical contacts. The electrical device is, in particular, an electrical household appliance.

[0002] FR 1 273 012 A discloses a waterproof socket in which the sockets of the receptacle part are provided with sliding plugs which are elastically pressed to tightly close the outside of the receptacle part when the socket is not in use. When the socket is in use, the sliding plugs are pushed back against the elastic action at the bottom of the sockets when the pins are inserted. US 2020 / 136 289 A1 describes an electrical connector with improved safety. The outer surface of the plug receptacle is coated with or made of a non-conductive insulating material. A pressurized insulating plug is arranged inside the socket. An electrical connection is established when the connector is inserted into the socket. When the pin is removed, the pressure mechanism of the insulating plug pushes the plug out flush with the outer insulated surface, making the socket touchproof.

[0003] There is an electrical household appliance called the Thermomix Friend ®. This household appliance is the subject of a European patent application with the official reference 20175328.2. The Thermomix Friend ® household appliance comprises a base and a container with a stirring tool inside. The container can be inserted into the base. The container comprises an electrical heating device and electrical plugs connected to the heating device. The electrical plugs protrude downwards from the base of the container. The base comprises electrical sockets into which the electrical plugs of the container are inserted when the container is inserted into the base. The electrical heating device can then be supplied with power for heating via the base. The invention also relates to such an electrical household appliance.

[0004] The aim of the present invention is to protect such electrical sockets, i.e. electrical contacts, from unplanned contact.

[0005] To achieve this goal, an electrical device comprises the features of the first claim. Advantageous embodiments emerge from the dependent claims.

[0006] The electrical device is, in particular, an electrical household appliance. The electrical device comprises electrical contacts and access to the electrical contacts for establishing an electrical plug-in connection. There is electrical insulation that protects against contact with the electrical contacts. There are at least two bolts as part of the electrical insulation. In an electrically insulating position, the bolts pass through the electrical contacts. The bolts can be moved independently of one another. The bolts can only be moved from the electrically insulating position to an electrically non-insulating position if the two bolts are moved together.

[0007] An electrical device is a device that requires electrical power to operate. The electrical device may include an electric motor. The electrical device may include an electronic controller. The electrical device may include an input device for operating electrical components of the electrical device. The electrical device may include a switch as an input device. The electrical device may include a touch-sensitive display as an input device. The electrical device may include a microphone and voice recognition as input devices.

[0008] The electrical device may include an output device for outputting information, for example, regarding the operation of the electrical device. A display may be provided as the output device. A loudspeaker may be provided as the output device.

[0009] The electrical device may include a battery for power supply. The electrical device may include a cable and a plug that can be connected to an external power source to power the electrical device.

[0010] If an electrical appliance is a household appliance, it is a device intended and suitable for use in a private household. For example, it could be a food processor used to prepare a meal.

[0011] The electrical contacts are designed and suitable for connection to other electrical contacts. Therefore, there is an access to each electrical contact. The electrical contacts can be electrically connected to other electrical contacts through these accesses.

[0012] Electrical insulation protects against contact with the electrical contacts. The electrical insulation is made primarily of plastic. The electrical insulation covers the electrical contacts so completely that the electrical contacts can no longer be reached with the fingers of a normal-sized adult and / or child's hand. Therefore, the access leading to an electrical contact has a diameter of no more than 5 mm at its narrowest point, for example, so that even a child's finger cannot touch the electrical contact.

[0013] A stud is an elongated object that can penetrate an electrical contact. A stud is essentially pin-shaped. Since a stud is part of the electrical insulation, the stud is made of an electrically insulating material such as plastic.

[0014] Each bolt can be in an electrically insulating position. In the electrically insulating position, the bolt prevents the associated electrical contact from being reached through the access for another electrical contact. If a bolt is in its electrically insulating position, no electrical contact can be made with another electrical contact. The bolt must therefore be moved out of its electrically insulating position so that another electrical contact can make electrical contact with the electrical contact belonging to the bolt. If a bolt is in its insulating position, then, in the sense of the present invention, it is passed through its associated electrical contact.

[0015] The bolts can be moved independently of each other. However, the bolts can only be moved from an electrically insulating position to an electrically non-insulating position if both bolts are moved together. If, as seen from the outside, a bolt is pushed towards its electrical contact using a pin, the bolt cannot leave its electrically insulating position unless the other bolt is also pushed towards its electrical contact at the same time. For example, a child cannot use an electrically conductive pin to move a single bolt in such a way that the child could use the pin to make electrical contact with the bolt's electrical contact.

[0016] An optical device can be provided to detect when only one bolt, as seen from the outside, is moved toward its electrical contact. The optical device can move a blocking element into a blocking position if the optical device detects that only one bolt is being moved by pressing. In the blocking position, the blocking element prevents the bolt from leaving its electrically insulating position.

[0017] In one embodiment, a rocker is provided that can be pivoted by moving a single bolt. If the bolts are moved back and forth alternately, the rocker rocks. A rocker refers to an elongated object that can be pivoted and rock similarly to a seesaw. The optical device can detect a pivoting movement of the rocker and then trigger the locking. The rocker thus ensures that, in a technically simple manner, it can be reliably detected when only one bolt is moved.

[0018] Ends of the rocker can be pivotally connected to ends of the bolts in order to ensure that the rocker is only pivoted when only one bolt is moved towards the non-insulating position.

[0019] The ends of the bolts can simply rest on the rocker, ensuring that the rocker only pivots when a single bolt is moved toward the non-insulating position. This minimizes manufacturing effort.

[0020] A central section of the rocker can be held in place by a spring. The rocker can be moved toward the spring against the force of the spring. The rocker can therefore be pivoted or moved toward the spring without pivoting. Furthermore, the rocker can then be moved back toward its original position by the spring. This also allows the bolts to be moved back to the isolating position by the force of the spring. With this design, a single spring is sufficient to move a plurality of bolts back to their original position.

[0021] The spring is an elastically deformable body. For stability reasons, the spring is preferably made of metal. However, it can also be made of plastic, for example. A spiral spring is preferable, as it is particularly easy to install and maintain with minimal installation space. However, the spring can be leaf-shaped, for example.

[0022] In one embodiment of the invention, the bolts can be moved vertically when the electrical device is positioned as intended. Desired movements can thus be advantageously assisted by gravity. Undesirable forces due to gravity can be avoided.

[0023] The bolts can be moved, in particular, vertically through an electrical shield. The electrical shield is part of the electrical insulation that protects against contact with the electrical contacts. The electrical shield can be a housing of the electrical device, made of plastic, for example. In one embodiment, a spring can be provided for each bolt, which can move the corresponding bolt into the electrically non-insulating position and hold it in this position. However, compared to the previous embodiment, this embodiment has the disadvantage of requiring the use of multiple springs.

[0024] A rod, i.e., an elongated object, can be connected to the rocker and protrude from the rocker. The rod preferably protrudes from a central area of ​​the rocker. If the rocker is pivoted, the rod is also pivoted. A pivoting movement of the rod can cause a switch to be actuated. If the switch is actuated, this can move a blocking element into a blocking position. In the blocking position, the blocking element prevents a bolt from moving out of its insulating position.

[0025] In one embodiment, the rod or one end of the rod can be pivoted to form a blocking surface. Once the rod or its end has been pivoted to the blocking surface, the rod can no longer be moved out of its insulating position. The blocking surface is therefore a surface that prevents the bolt from moving out of its insulating position once the rod has been pivoted to the blocking surface. For manufacturing reasons, the blocking surface is preferably a flat surface that is level and has no curvatures. However, the blocking surface can also be curved. This prevents a bolt from being moved out of its insulating position in a technically very simple and reliable way.

[0026] In one embodiment, a step or indentation encompasses the blocking surface. The step or indentation improves the assurance that the rod pivoted toward the blocking surface cannot unexpectedly leave the blocking position. In particular, it can prevent the rod from pivoting beyond the blocking surface. The step comprises a flat blocking surface and another flat surface projecting from it. The other surface is generally perpendicular or at least substantially perpendicular to the blocking surface. An indentation refers to an inwardly curved shape.

[0027] In one embodiment, a bolt is connected to another bolt by a connecting element. The connecting element can be a rod, for example. A connection refers to a fixed connection. The connecting element can be manufactured as a single piece with the bolts in a single production step, for example by plastic injection molding. The additional bolt is part of an electrical insulation for another electrical contact. This embodiment is particularly advantageous when at least three current-carrying electrical contacts are to be protected from accidental contact by bolts, as the number of components and thus also the installation space can be kept particularly small.

[0028] A bolt is preferably connected to a guide element that is guided by a guide rail. The guidance of the bolt ensures reliable functioning. The rail is preferably U-shaped in section. The guide element can then extend into the U-shape for guidance. Two opposing guide rails can be provided for each guide element to guide the bolt particularly reliably. However, the guide element can also be enclosed. The enclosed border then forms a guide rail within the meaning of the present invention, since the border guides the guide element.

[0029] The guide element can be a plate. A plate is particularly suitable for stable and even guidance by two opposing guide rails. Furthermore, a plate can provide a sufficiently low center of gravity to properly guide a bolt attached to it. The bolt and plate are preferably manufactured as a single piece in a single step, for example, by injection molding. The bolt and plate can be made of plastic.

[0030] Preferably, a plastic housing part comprises the guide rail for the guide element and / or the access for each electrical contact. Such a housing part can be manufactured in one piece from plastic, for example, by injection molding, which advantageously minimizes the number of parts and thus the assembly effort and installation space.

[0031] Preferably, at least one additional rod is attached to the rocker, which is held by at least one retaining rail. This stabilizes the position of the rocker. This ensures operational safety.

[0032] Preferably, a half-shell is provided that encompasses the retaining rail and / or a blocking surface and / or a holder for holding the spring. Such a half-shell can be manufactured in one piece in a single step. This can be done, for example, by injection molding. The half-shell can be made of plastic. This advantageously minimizes the number of parts and thus the assembly effort and installation space.

[0033] The electrical appliance is preferably a stand-alone unit of a mixer. A mixer according to the present invention comprises, in addition to the stand-alone unit, a container in which a dish can be prepared by heating and / or stirring. The container can be connected to the stand-alone unit. Subsequently, a dish can be heated and / or processed with a mixing tool.

[0034] A stand refers to the part of a mixer that is designed to be placed on a surface, such as a countertop. A stand may therefore have protruding knobs on its underside. The container can be inserted into a recess in the stand, for example.

[0035] The stirring tool can be located in the base of the vessel. The stirring tool can be connected to a shaft that passes through the bottom of the vessel. The shaft can be connected via a coupling to the shaft of an electric motor located in the stand.

[0036] The vessel contains a heating device and, for power supply, electrical contacts that are supplied with power via electrical contacts in the base. The vessel's electrical contacts are connected to the electrical contacts in the base when the vessel is connected to the base, for example, when inserted into a recess provided in the base. The vessel's electrical contacts are usually electrical plugs. The vessel's electrical contacts may protrude downward from the base of the vessel.

[0037] In one embodiment of the invention, the electrical contacts of the vessel are of different lengths. The length of the bolts is correspondingly different. For example, if an electrical plug on the right is shorter than an electrical plug on the left of the vessel, then the bolt on the right of the stand is correspondingly longer than the bolt on the left of the stand. Coding can therefore be achieved by using bolts of different lengths or electrical contacts of different lengths. This improves safety against accidental contact with contacts. This is true, among other things, because non-coded third-party devices cannot be electrically connected to the electrical contacts of the stand. This also applies regardless of the stand and vessel.For coding reasons, two bolts of an electrical device are therefore advantageously of different lengths in order to ensure that an electrical connection is only possible with corresponding electrical devices that are coded accordingly.

[0038] To minimize the installation space for the stationary part of the mixer, the mixer is preferably designed so that the maximum possible rotational speed of the mixer tool is 1000 revolutions per minute. Preferably, the maximum possible rotational speed at which the mixer tool can rotate is no more than 400 revolutions per minute.

[0039] However, the mixer can also rotate at speeds of at least 5,000 revolutions per minute, for example, if it isn't particularly small. To avoid overloading, the speed should not exceed 20,000 revolutions per minute.

[0040] The invention relates to an electrical connector of an electrical device for establishing an electrical plug-in connection. The invention can therefore also relate solely to an electrical connector of an electrical plug-in connection. Such a connector would then comprise: electrical contacts, access to the electrical contacts for establishing an electrical plug-in connection, electrical insulation that protects against contact with the electrical contacts, and at least two bolts as part of the electrical insulation, which are passed through the electrical contacts in an electrically insulating position, wherein the bolts can be moved independently of one another, wherein the bolts can only be moved further from the electrically insulating position into an electrically non-insulating position if the two bolts are moved together. Furthermore, such electrical connectors can be designed as described.

[0041] It shows Figure 1: Electrical contacts with contact protection in electrically insulating initial position; Figure 2: Electrical contacts with a single lowered contact protection; Figure 3: Electrical contacts with a double lowered contact protection; Figure 4: Rocker; Figure 5: Rocker and bolt; Figure 6: Cut-away view of an embodiment with electrical contacts; Figure 7: Electrical contacts and bolts connected in pairs; Figure 8: Stirrer.

[0042] The Figure 1shows electrical contacts 1 of a stand part. The electrical contacts 1 are designed so that they can be connected to electrical contacts that project downwards from the bottom of a vessel. The electrical contacts are three electrical sockets 1 made of metal, which are held by a plastic housing part 2 of the stand part, only partially shown. Each electrical socket 1 has an upwardly tapered, clamp-like base part 3. The opposite arms of the base part 3 can be elastically bent. Each base part 3 is adjoined at the top by a widened portion 4, which facilitates the insertion of an electrical plug. The widened portion 4 can be formed by small plates at the upper end of the arms.Each flare 4 is adjacent to the plastic housing part 2 at the top, so that the housing part 2 contributes to protecting against accidental contact with the electrical sockets 1. The electrical contacts 1 are also covered on the sides and underside by plastic components, thus protecting them from accidental contact. The electrical contacts 1 can be crimp contacts.

[0043] The middle electrical socket 1 is a protective conductor contact. Therefore, no additional measures are required to protect against contact with the middle electrical socket 1.

[0044] The two outer electrical sockets 1 are live and therefore equipped with separate contact protection. Each contact protection for the two outer electrical sockets 1 comprises a plastic bolt 5. Each bolt 5 is guided through a live electrical socket 1 and protrudes from the corresponding socket 1 at both the top and bottom. At the top, the bolt 5 protects against accidental contact with the corresponding electrical contact 1. Each bolt 5 comprises a widening 6. The widening 6 is located in the Figure 1 shown starting position within the upwardly tapered base part 3.

[0045] The lower ends of the two bolts 1 are connected to each other by a rocker 7 or at least rest on the top of the rocker 7. The ends of the rocker 7 can be pivotally connected to the lower ends of the bolts 5, or the lower ends of the two bolts 1 can rest on ends of the rocker 7. The rocker 7 can therefore be pivoted. The contact between the rocker 7 and the bolt 5 is such that the rocker 7 pushes the bolts 5 upwards and the rocker 7 can be pivoted by moving a bolt 5. Furthermore, the rocker 7 can be lowered by the two bolts 5.

[0046] A pre-tensioned spring 8 presses against the underside of the rocker 7. With the help of the spring 8 and the rocker 7, the widenings 6 of the bolts 5 are pressed against the upwardly tapered base part 3. The bolts 1 are thereby held in their Figure 1 shown starting position.

[0047] A rod 9 projects vertically downward from the rocker 7. The rod 9 is located in a central area of ​​the rocker 7. The lower end of the rod 9 is located above a gap 10, which is defined by two boundaries 11. The upper sides of the boundaries 11 have opposing steps 12. The steps 12 comprise a horizontally extending blocking surface and a surface that projects upward from the blocking surface, usually vertically.

[0048] The Figure 2 shows a bolt 5 on the right side, which is compared to the Figure 1has been pressed downwards against the force of the spring 8. Since the bolt 5 shown on the left is still in its electrically insulating starting position, the rocker 7 on the right has been pivoted downwards. The rod 9 has therefore been pivoted into the step 12 shown on the left. The bolt 5 shown on the right can therefore not be moved any further downwards. The electrical socket 1 shown on the right cannot be touched because this is prevented by the bolt 5 still projecting upwards and the adjacent housing part 2, which continue to shield the electrical socket 5 shown on the right from the outside. The bolt 5 shown on the right cannot therefore be moved out of its electrically insulating position.

[0049] In the Figure 3A cross-sectional view of a vessel 13 with a base 14 is shown. Electrical plugs 15 project downwards from the base 14. The vessel 13 is inserted into a recess 16 of the base part. The recess 16 can be integrally connected to the housing part 2. However, the recess 16 can also be a separate part from the housing part 2. The electrical plugs 15 simultaneously pressed the bolts 5 downwards. Therefore, the rocker 7 was only lowered against the force of the spring 8, but was not pivoted. The rod 9 was therefore not pivoted into a step 12. The rocker 7 could therefore be lowered in such a way that the plugs 15, as shown in the Figure 3 shown electrically contact the sockets 1.

[0050] The Figures 1 to 3Thus, they show electrical contacts 1 of a household appliance with an access for electrical contacts 15 of a container 13 for establishing an electrical plug connection. There is electrical insulation 2, 5 that protects against contact with the electrical contacts 1. Two bolts 5 are part of the electrical insulation. The bolts 5 can only be moved from an electrically insulating position to an electrically non-insulating position if the two bolts 5 are moved together.

[0051] In the Figure 4A preferred embodiment of the rocker 7 is shown. This comprises two support surfaces 17. The support surfaces 17 partially have a border 18. The rod 9 is arranged laterally of the rocker 7 and is integrally connected to a central region of the rocker 7. The rod 9 is thus manufactured in a single production step together with the rocker 7, for example, by plastic injection molding. The spring 8 extends with one end into a cylindrical recess 19 in the rocker 7. The cylindrical recess 19 is open at the bottom.

[0052] The rocker 7 can, for example, have two additional downward-extending rods 29, which, however, can be arranged in such a way that they cannot extend into a step 12 for a blockage. Instead, the additional rods 29 can be guided, for example, by retaining rails to stabilize the position of the rocker 7.

[0053] In the Figure 5the rocker 7 is shown together with an embodiment of two bolts 5. Projections 20 of the bolts 5 rest on the support surfaces 17 of the rocker 7 and extend into the edges 18. Each edge 18 of the rocker 7 therefore contributes to securing the position of the bolts 5. If a bolt 5 is pressed down, it presses down the support surface 17 of the rocker 7. If both bolts 5 press down at the same time, the rocker 7 is lowered. If only one bolt 4 is pressed down, only one end area of ​​the rocker 7 is lowered and the rocker 7 is therefore pivoted. The force of the spring 8 allows the bolts to be moved back to their original position.

[0054] The bolts 5 are integrally connected to a plate 21 on their underside. The plate 21 serves to guide the bolt 5 so that it can be moved reliably up and down.

[0055] The Figure 6shows an embodiment in a cut-open state with the bolts 5 from Figure 5 and the rocker 7 from the Figures 4 and 5 A plastic half-shell 22 on the underside comprises the steps 12 and the intermediate space 10 for the rod 9. In addition, the half-shell 22 can hold the underside of the spring 8. The half-shell 22 can have U-shaped holding rails 26 for the rods 29 of the rocker 7. The holding rails surround the rods 29 at a distance such that a desired pivoting movement of the rocker 7 is not prevented by the holding rails 26. The half-shell 22 comprises a cylindrical holder 30 for holding the lower end of the spring 8. A housing part 2 sits on the upper side of the half-shell 22. The housing part 2 comprises guide rails 23 for the plates 21. The Figure 6clarifies that each socket 1 can comprise, in addition to two arms with the widenings 4, a further arm 24 for electrical contact. The further arm 24 can be arranged as shown in the Figure 6 As shown, they can be offset to the rear and otherwise arranged between the two arms that form the widened portion 4. The electrical sockets 1 are held by the housing part 2. The electrical contacts can each have a lateral connection 25. The lateral connections can be connected to a power source via additional electrical conductors. The housing part 2 has funnel-shaped inlet openings 27 on the top side above the sockets 1 for easy insertion of electrical plugs 15.

[0056] In the Figure 7An example with five contacts 1 is shown. Four of the five contacts are current-carrying contacts. Therefore, bolts 5 are passed through four contacts 1. The bolts 5 are connected in pairs by a rod-shaped connecting element 28, for example. The connecting elements 28 are located below the contacts 1. Each pair of bolts 5 behaves like a single bolt 5 from Figure 1 If only bolt 5, and thus only one pair of bolts, is pressed down, this movement is blocked as soon as the rod 9 has been pivoted into a step 12. If both pairs of bolts are pressed down simultaneously, i.e., together, the rod 9 will not be pivoted into a step 12, and the electrical contacts 1 can be electrically contacted by electrical plugs.

[0057] In the Figure 8A stirring device is shown with a base part 31 and a vessel 13 which is inserted into a recess 32 of the base part 31. The base part has a display 33 and a rotary knob 34. The vessel 13 can be removed from the recess 32 using the handle 35. The vessel 13 and the base part 31 are electrically connected to each other via a plug connection, as shown in the Figure 3 is shown.

Claims

1. Electrical appliance, in particular electrical household appliance, having electrical contacts (1), having accesses (27) to the electrical contacts (1) for establishing an electrical plug connection, having an electrical sinsulation which protects against touching the electrical contacts (1), having at least two bolts (5) as part of the electrical insulation, which are passed through the electrical contacts (1) in an electrically insulating position, characterized in that the bolts (5) can be moved independently of each other, wherein the bolts (5) can be moved further from the electrically insulating position into an electrically non-insulating position only when the two bolts (5) are moved together.

2. Electrical appliance according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a rocker (7) is provided which can be pivoted by moving only one bolt (5).

3. Electrical appliance according to the preceding claim, characterized in that ends of the bolts (5) rest on the rocker (7).

4. Electrical appliance according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that a central region of the rocker (7) is held by a spring (8).

5. Electrical appliance according to one of the three preceding claims, characterized in that a rod (9) is connected to the rocker (7) and protrudes from the rocker (7).

6. Electrical appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical appliance comprises a blocking surface and the rod (9) can be pivoted to the blocking surface.

7. Electrical appliance according to the preceding claim, characterized in that an indentation or step (12) comprises the blocking surface.

8. Electrical appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a bolt (5) of the at least two bolts (5) is connected to a further bolt (5) of the at least two bolts (5) by a connecting element (28), wherein the further bolt (5) of the at least two bolts (5) is part of an electrical insulation for a further electrical contact.

9. Electrical appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a bolt (5) of the at least two bolts (5) is connected to a guide element (21) which is guided by a guide rail (23), wherein the guide rail (23) is part of a housing part (2) consisting of plastic.

10. Electrical appliance according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the guide element is a plate (21).

11. Electrical appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing part (2) consisting of plastic comprises the access (27) for each electrical contact (1).

12. Electrical appliance according to one of the ten preceding claims 2 to 11, characterized in that at least one further rod (29) is attached to the rocker (7), which is held by at least one holding rail (26).

13. Electrical appliance according to the preceding claim and claim 6, characterized in that the electrical appliance comprises a half-shell (22) comprising the holding rail (26) and / or the blocking surface and / or a holder (30) for holding the spring (8).

14. Electrical appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical appliance is a stand part (31) of a mixer.

15. Electrical appliance according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the stand part (31) comprises an electric motor and a control device for a heating device of a vessel (13) which can be inserted or is inserted into a recess (32) of the stand part (31).

16. Electrical appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two bolts (5) of the at least two bolts (5) of the electrical appliance have different lengths.