FRAMES FOR AN ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION DEVICE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a cover frame for an electrical installation device, wherein the cover frame has at least one square opening with four side walls, which serves to receive a rocker switch or an insert, for example, a socket insert. EP 3 432 432 A1 discloses a cover frame according to the preamble of claim 1. WO 2013 / 182819 A1 and DE 201 03 739 U1 disclose cover frames with a square opening. Known cover frames are held on a switch or socket by means of a clamping element or by a socket insert screwed to the socket. One problem with this is that, not least due to manufacturing tolerances, the gap between a socket insert and the cover frame is not always uniform, i.e., gaps of varying sizes arise between the socket insert and the cover frame, which must be adjusted manually.When installing rocker switches, the problem can arise that they are moved unintentionally when activated.

[0002] The object of the present invention is to create a bezel for an electrical installation device with which a uniform gap dimension can be achieved for both an insert and a rocker switch.

[0003] This problem is solved by the features of claim 1, and in particular by providing a centering projection in the opening and only in the center of each side wall. According to the invention, this ensures that, on the one hand, an insert can be centered at four central points within the opening, so that the gap between the insert and the frame is the same on all four side walls. On the other hand, a rocker switch can be mounted on the centering projection in the center of a side wall using the frame, so that it is centrally supported during actuation and does not shift.

[0004] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the description, the drawing and the dependent claims.

[0005] In a first advantageous embodiment, the centering projection can have at least two differently oriented inclined surfaces. This makes it possible to achieve, on the one hand, the centering of an insert and, on the other hand, the support of a rocker switch using one and the same centering projection.

[0006] In a further advantageous embodiment, the centering projection can have an inclined surface that causes the rocker switch to move towards the side wall on which the centering projection is located. Since the frame is provided with two pairs of opposing centering projections, this ensures that an insert is centered evenly and automatically when placed on the frame.

[0007] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the centering projection can be trapezoidal, which further promotes centering.

[0008] If the centering projection has a total of three inclined surfaces, it is suitable not only for centering an insert but also for the central support and centering of a rocker switch, for example with the help of a centering wedge provided on the centering projection.

[0009] According to a further aspect, the present invention also relates to an insert with four side walls for a frame of the type described above, wherein a centering recess is provided in the center of each side wall for receiving a centering projection. Such an insert can be designed for the insertion of a mains plug, a network plug, or any other plug. In the case of a socket insert for a mains plug, the socket insert typically has an integral socket receptacle for receiving the mains plug. The insert can also be designed as a sensor, dimmer, or as another electrical or mechanical device.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment, each centering recess of the insert can have two inclined surfaces towards each other, which can interact in particular with a trapezoidal centering projection of the frame.

[0011] According to a further advantageous embodiment, a cut-out area for receiving a centering wedge can be provided in the center of each centering recess. This allows the insert to be mounted on a frame that has a centering wedge for a rocker switch. Since this centering wedge is not required for centering the insert, but protrudes from the centering projection of the frame, the centering recess creates a space in which the centering wedge can be received.

[0012] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the centering recess can be provided on the underside of each side wall, making the centering recess visually imperceptible after assembly.

[0013] According to a further aspect of the present invention, this relates to a rocker switch for a frame of the type described above, which has at least three side walls, wherein a bearing pin is provided in the center of at least one side wall. Such a bearing pin enables the rocker switch to be mounted centrally. The rocker switch can, for example, completely fill the square opening of the frame or, in the case of a double switch, be rectangular, so that two identical rocker switches can be accommodated within the opening of the frame. In the case of a square rocker switch, a bearing pin is provided in the center of each of two opposing side walls.

[0014] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the bearing pin can have a conically curved shell section, whereby the rocker arm can roll along this shell section when actuated and is thereby supported and centered.

[0015] According to a further advantageous embodiment, a centering wedge can be provided on two opposite side walls of the rocker switch, which can in particular interact with a centering wedge of the centering projection of the frame, so that the rocker switch is centered in its end position and an equal gap dimension is maintained for both switching positions.

[0016] The frame described above can be used to great advantage both in combination with the described insert and in combination with the described rocker switch. When the insert is placed in the frame, each centering projection of the insert can be received in a centering recess of the frame. When the frame is mounted on a switch, the bearing pin of the rocker switch can be supported on a centering projection.

[0017] The present invention is described below by way of example only, using advantageous embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show: Fig. 1 a top view of a frame; Fig. 2 a section through the frame of Fig. 1 along line II-II, wherein a socket insert is inserted in an opening of the frame; Fig. 3 an enlarged view of area III of Fig. 2 Fig. 4 shows a sectional view from below of the frame and socket insert. Fig. 2 ; Fig. 5 an enlarged perspective view of area V of Fig. 1 Fig. 6 a perspective partial view of the frame and rocker switch; Fig. 7 an enlarged view of area VII of Fig. 8 ; and Fig. 8 a perspective view of the back of a rocker switch.

[0018] Fig. 1 Figure 10 shows a mounting frame for an electrical installation device, such as a socket, switch, dimmer, sensor, or the like. The mounting frame shown is designed as a single frame. However, it should be understood that it can also be designed as a multiple frame.

[0019] The illustrated frame 10 has a square opening 12 with four side walls 14 to 20, with side walls 16 and 20 and 14 and 18 facing each other. The opening 12 serves in the usual way to accommodate one or more rocker switches or an insert for a socket, a sensor, or other devices.

[0020] How Fig. 2 As illustrated, a centering projection 22 is provided in the opening and only in the middle of each side wall 16 to 20, which in Fig. 5 shown enlarged.

[0021] How Fig. 5 As shown, the centering projection 22 comprises a trapezoidal base 24, onto which a centering wedge 26 is mounted. The base 24 has chamfered legs 28 and 30 on both of its sides, with a perpendicular to each leg intersecting an adjacent side wall. The two legs 28 and 30 of each centering projection 22 represent two differently oriented inclined surfaces. A third inclined surface is formed by the wedge surface 32 of the centering wedge 26.

[0022] Fig. 2 Figure 1 shows the frame 10 with an inserted insert. The illustrated embodiment is a socket insert 40, which has four side walls 44, 46, 48 and 50, with a centering recess 52 in the middle of each side wall ( Fig. 3 ) is provided for receiving a centering projection 22. Each centering recess 52 is designed to be complementary to the trapezoidal base 24 of the centering projection 22, so that the socket insert 40 centers itself automatically when inserted into the frame 10 (see figure). Fig. 4 To ensure that the socket insert 40 lies flush in the frame, a cut-out area 54 is provided in the center of each centering recess 52, which serves to receive the centering wedge 26 of the centering projection 22. The centering wedge 26 is not used to center the socket insert, but is intended for the support and centering of a rocker switch, which is described below.

[0023] Fig. 8 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the rear of a rocker switch 60, which has four side walls 62, 64, 66 and 68, and which can be inserted into the opening 12 of the frame. A bearing pin 70 is formed on the underside of each of the side walls 64 and 68 in the middle, which Fig. 7 shown enlarged and featuring a conically curved mantle section 72.

[0024] A centering wedge 74 and 76 is provided in the middle of each of the other two side walls 62 and 66.

[0025] If the trim frame 10 is to be attached to a switch, the rocker switch 60 can be attached to the switch with pin-like elements 78 attached to the rear, whereby the bearing pins 70 then come to rest on the wedge surface 32 of the centering wedge 26 of the centering projection 22 (cf. Fig. 6During a switching movement, the conically curved outer section 72 of the two bearing pins 70 can roll on a wedge surface 32. In this process, the rocker arm is simultaneously supported and mounted centrally and centered due to the wedge surfaces 32 oriented towards the outside of the frame. In its end position, the rocker arm 60 rests with a centering wedge 74 or 76 against the corresponding centering wedge 26 of a centering projection, thus ensuring centering even in the rocker arm's end position.

[0026] The above description covers a rocker switch for a frame, designed as a single rocker. However, it is understood that, according to the invention, a double rocker switch can also be provided, in which the rocker switch is, in effect, divided, so that a single (half) rocker switch is rectangular and extends over half of the opening 12. In this case, a bearing pin would only be provided in the middle of one side wall. A centering wedge would be located on the two other, opposing side walls. The two (half) rocker switches could be clipped together and mechanically stabilized by a pin extending through both rocker switches.

Claims

1. A frame (10) for an electrical installation device, said frame comprising at least one square opening (12) which has four side walls (16 - 20) and which serves to receive a rocker or an insert, characterized in that a centering projection (22) is provided in the opening (12) and only in the middle of each side wall (16 - 20).

2. A frame according to claim 1, characterized in that the centering projection (22) has at least two differently oriented slanted surfaces.

3. A frame according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the centering projection (22) has a slanted surface (23) which effects a movement of a rocker (60), which is arranged in the opening (12), towards the side wall at which the centering projection (22) is located.

4. A frame according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the centering projection (22) is trapezoidal.

5. A frame according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the centering projection (22) has a total of three slanted surfaces (28, 30, 32).

6. A frame according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the centering projection (22) has a centering wedge (26).

7. An insert (40), which has four side walls (46 - 50), for a frame (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a centering recess (52) for receiving a respective centering projection (22) is provided in the middle of each side wall (46 - 50).

8. An insert (40) according to claim 7, characterized in that the centering recess (52) has two slanted surfaces which are inclined with respect to one another.

9. An insert (40) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that a cut-free region (54) for receiving a centering wedge (26) is provided in the middle of the centering recess (52).

10. An insert (40) according to claim 7, 8 or 9, characterized in that the centering recess (52) is provided at the underside of each side wall (44 - 50).

11. A rocker (60), which has at least three side walls (62 - 68), for a frame (10) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a bearing pin (70) is provided in the middle of at least one side wall (64, 68).

12. A rocker (60) according to claim 11, characterized in that the bearing pin (70) has a conically curved jacket section (72).

13. A rocker (60) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that a centering wedge (74, 76) is provided at two side walls (62, 66).

14. A combination of a frame (10) according to any one of the claims 1 to 6 with an insert (40) according to any one of the claims 7 to 11 or with a rocker (60) according to one of the claims 12 to 13.

15. A combination according to claim 14, wherein each centering projection (22) is received in a centering recess (52) of the insert (40), or the bearing pin (70) of the rocker (60) is supported on a centering projection (22).