Socket with extendable collar and lighting device with such a socket

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a socket for a mains plug with at least two contact pins, comprising a base with a base end face which has at least two holes, and with at least two contacts arranged behind the holes for electrically contacting a contact pin of the mains plug inserted through the holes, and a collar provided for plugging in the mains plug, which is movably mounted on the base from a rear end position into a front end position in which the collar projects further forward beyond the base end face than in the rear end position and surrounds the base end face in a collar-like manner.

[0002] Such a socket with a movably mounted collar is known, for example, from WO 2020 / 077371 A1. Here, the collar is designed in the manner of a push button or push-button, which is spring-loaded into its extended position and can be temporarily locked into its retracted position by means of a releasable latch. By tapping it in the retracted position, the collar can be released from its locking position on the latch and springs into its extended position. Conversely, the collar can be moved from its extended position back into its retracted position by pressing it against the force of the springs and then locked into the latch.

[0003] In contrast, the present invention is based on the object of extending the collar in a socket of the type mentioned at the beginning in a different way.

[0004] This object is achieved according to the invention by an extension mechanism which, on the one hand, engages the collar and, on the other hand, engages in the movement path of at least one of the two contact pins at least in the rear end position of the collar between the base end face and the contacts and which is designed to extend the collar from the rear into the front end position by means of the at least one inserted contact pin.

[0005] According to the invention, the collar is extended from the rear to the front end position by inserting the contact pins of the power plug into the socket.

[0006] In preferred embodiments, the extension mechanism comprises a lever arm pivotably mounted on the base, which engages the collar at one end, in particular is hinged thereto, and at the other end extends into the path of movement of the at least one contact pin, at least in the rear end position of the collar. The inserted contact pin deflects the lever arm out of the path of movement, thereby extending the collar—in the opposite direction to the contact pin. The lever arm can be pivotally mounted or longitudinally displaceably guided, for example, by means of a longitudinal slot on a bearing pin of the base.

[0007] Preferably, the collar is movable from the rear to the front end position against the action of a restoring force, particularly in the form of a return spring, and is thus preloaded into the rear end position. In the rear end position, the collar preferably sits flush with the front of the socket, resulting in a flat socket front.

[0008] Particularly preferably, the electrical connection between at least one of the contacts and an associated connection contact of a socket housing has an electrical switch actuated by the collar or the extension mechanism, which is open in the rear end position of the collar and closed at least in the front end position of the collar. This measure ensures that the contacts can only be live when the collar is extended. Preferably, the electrical switch is only closed in the front end position of the collar, so that the contacts are only live when the collar is fully extended. For example, the electrical switch can have a contact spring that can be deflected by the collar or the extension mechanism, which contact spring is lifted from a mating contact of the switch in the rear end position of the collar and rests electrically conductively on the mating contact at least in the front end position of the collar.

[0009] Preferably, the collar has at least one protective contact on its inner circumferential side, which interacts with a protective contact of the power plug and is permanently electrically connected to a grounding terminal of a socket housing, e.g., by means of a sliding contact. This measure transforms the socket into a protective contact socket.

[0010] In preferred embodiments, a socket housing comprises the base. The socket housing can have a circular or rectangular, in particular square, outer contour. Advantageously, the socket housing has complementary connection contacts on two opposite sides, allowing two sockets to be electrically connected to each other. Instead of complementary connection contacts, standard clamp or screw connections can alternatively be provided on the socket housing and / or the collar.

[0011] The invention also relates to a multiple socket outlet with several socket outlets arranged along a row in a U-shaped profile, as described above. Preferably, the socket outlets and the U-shaped profile have interacting guides, such as guide grooves and projections, by means of which the socket outlets are inserted into the U-shaped profile and held therein. Advantageously, when two adjacent socket outlets are pushed together, the connecting contacts of one socket contact complementary connecting contacts of the other socket outlet, thus transmitting power lines from one socket outlet to the next.

[0012] Finally, the invention also relates to a lighting device with at least one U-profile in which a light and at least one socket or multiple socket designed as above are accommodated.

[0013] The lighting device preferably has a double U-profile, with the light being accommodated in one U-profile and the at least one socket or multiple socket in the other U-profile of the double U-profile. The light can, for example, have an LED strip glued into the U-profile and a transmissive light bar that closes the U-profile. The double U-profile spatially separates the light and the socket(s). Depending on requirements, several sockets or multiple sockets, as well as additional modules, can be inserted into the U-profile.

[0014] Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description, the claims, and the drawings. Likewise, the above-mentioned and further listed features can be used individually or in combination. The embodiments shown and described are not intended to be exhaustive, but rather serve as examples for describing the invention.

[0015] They show: Figs. 1a, 1b show a socket according to the invention with a movable collar in a retracted, rear end position ( Fig. 1a ) and in an extended, front end position ( Fig. 1b ), each in a perspective view; Figs. 2a-2e show the extension of the collar caused by plugging a power adapter into the socket according to the invention, each in a longitudinal section; Figs. 3a, 3b schematically show an electrical switch of the socket according to the invention, actuated by the collar, which is open in the retracted end position of the collar ( Fig. 3a ) and is closed in the extended end position of the collar ( Fig. 3b ); Figs. 4a, 4b show a multiple socket composed of several sockets according to the invention, wherein Fig. 4b all sockets are inserted into a U-profile and in Fig. 4a a last socket is not yet inserted into the U-profile; and Figs. 5a, 5b show a lighting device with several sockets according to the invention.

[0016] The Fign. 1a, 1b socket shown 1 used for electrical contact with a power plug 2 ( Fign. 2a-2e ), which has several, here only two example contact pins 3 has.

[0017] Socket 1 has a base 4 with a socket face (connector base) 5, which has several, here two holes 6 and with several contacts, here two, arranged behind the holes 6 7 ( Fign. 2a-2e ), e.g. in the form of sockets, for electrically contacting a contact pin 3 of the mains plug 2 inserted through the holes 6, as well as a collar provided for inserting the mains plug 2, here merely an example of an annular shape 8. The collar 8 is on the base 4 from the Fig. 1a shown rear end position into the Fig. 1b The collar 8 is movably mounted in the front end position shown, in which the collar 8 protrudes further forward beyond the base end 5 than in the rear end position and surrounds the base end 5 like a collar. In its extended position, the collar 8 serves as a contact guard for the contact pins 3 of the power plug 2 as long as these are not yet fully inserted into the holes 6.

[0018] The socket 4 is protected by a socket housing 9 which, here merely by way of example, has a rectangular, in particular square, outer contour. The base end face 5 is formed by the front of the socket housing 9. The base 4 has several complementary connection contacts on each of its two opposite sides. 10, here three connectors 10a and three connection sockets 10b ( Fign. 4a, 4b ). On its inner circumferential side, the collar 8 has two protective contacts, each cooperating with an electrical protective contact of the mains plug 2 11, Here, they are in the form of contact springs, which, in any position of the collar 8, are electrically connected, e.g., by means of a sliding contact, to an earthing terminal of the socket housing 9—here, to one of the connecting plugs 10a and one of the connecting sockets 10b. The leading protective contact 11 grounds conductive housing parts of devices before the contact pins 3 reach the live contacts 7.

[0019] Alternatively, the outer contour of the base housing 9 can also be circular, for example.

[0020] Instead of the plug-in connection contacts 10, 10a, 10b shown, standard terminal or screw connections can alternatively be provided on the socket housing 9 and / or on the collar 8.

[0021] As in Fig. 1a As shown, the collar 8 in the rear end position is flush with both the base end face 5 and the rest of the front of the socket housing 9.

[0022] As in Fign. 2a-2e shown, when the mains plug 2 is inserted into the holes 6, the collar 8 is extended by means of an extension mechanism driven by the mains plug 2 12 from the rear end position against the action of a return spring 13extended to the front end position. When the power plug 2 is unplugged, the collar 8 is retracted back to its rear end position by the return spring 13. The extension mechanism 12 acting on the collar 8 engages, at least in the rear end position of the collar 8, between the base end face 5 and the contacts 7, in the path of movement of the two contact pins 3 and is deflected from their path of movement by the inserted contact pins 3, whereby the collar 8 is extended from the rear to the front end position.

[0023] In the embodiment shown, the extension mechanism 12 has a lever arm pivotably mounted on the base 4 14 which is hinged at one end to the collar 8 and at the other end, at least in the rear end position of the collar 8, projects into the path of movement of the contact pins 3. The lever arm 14 is by means of a longitudinal slot 15 on a bearing journal 16The base 4 is both pivotably mounted and longitudinally displaceably guided. The lever arm 14 is preferably made of electrically non-conductive material.

[0024] In Fig. 2a the contact pins 3 of the mains plug 2 are not inserted into the holes 6, so that the collar 8 is in its rear end position due to the return spring 13 and the lever arms 14 protrude between the base end face 5 and the contacts 7 into the path of movement of the two contact pins 3.

[0025] In Fig. 2b the contact pins 3 are inserted through the holes 6 into the base 4 until they rest against the lever arms 14.

[0026] In Fig. 2c the contact pins 3 are inserted further into the base 4, whereby the lever arms 14 of the contact pins 3 are pivoted about the bearing pins 16 and displaced in the longitudinal slot 15 and the collar 8 hinged to the lever arms 14 is extended forwards from its rear end position.

[0027] In Fig. 2d the lever arms 14 are completely deflected out of the path of movement of the contact pins 3 by the further inserted contact pins 3, whereby the collar 8 is extended into its front end position.

[0028] In Fig. 2e The further inserted contact pins 3 are finally received in the contacts 7 and thereby electrically contacted, with the lever arms 14 resting on the outside of the contact pins 3. Contact protection is provided by the extended collar 8, which encloses the entire base end face 5, and by the fact that contact with the contacts 7 only occurs when the power plug 2 is fully inserted.

[0029] As in Fign. 3a, 3b shown schematically, the electrical connections between the contacts 7 and their associated connection contacts 10 can each have an electrical switch actuated by the collar 8 or the extension mechanism 12 17 which is in the Fig. 3b shown, front end position of the collar 8 is closed and in all other positions of the collar 8 is open, as in Fig. 3a for the rear end position of the collar 8. The switch 17 can, for example, be a deflectable contact spring 18 which is electrically conductively attached to the contact 7 and whose free spring end rests electrically conductively on the connection contact 10 in the front end position of the collar 8 and is lifted off the connection contact 10 in all other positions of the collar 8. This ensures that the contacts 7 can only be live in the front end position of the collar 8.

[0030] In Fign. 4a, 4b is a multiple socket consisting of several, here three sockets 1 20 shown, where in Fig. 4b all sockets 1 in a U-profile 21 are inserted and in Fig. 4a a last socket 1 has not yet been inserted into the U-profile 21. The U-profile 21 has on its two opposite profile legs inside profile strips 22 and the socket housing 1 on two opposite sides each have longitudinal grooves 23 with which the socket housing 1 is guided on the profile strips 22 of the U-profile 21. When two adjacent sockets 1 are pushed together, the connection contacts 10 of one socket 1, i.e. the connection plugs 10a, engage with the complementary connection contacts 10 of the other socket 1, i.e. the connection sockets 10b, whereby supply lines are forwarded from one socket 1 to the next socket 1.

[0031] Fign. 5a, 5b show a lighting device 30 with a lamp 31, with two sockets 1 and with a double U-profile 32,whereby the lamp 31 is accommodated in one U-profile 32a and the sockets 1 and further modules 33 are inserted into the other U-profile 32b of the double U-profile 32. The light 31 can, for example, comprise an LED strip arranged in the U-profile 32a and a transmissive light bar that closes the U-profile 32a. In the illustrated embodiment, the light device 30 is mounted on the underside of a wall cabinet. 34 arranged.

Claims

1. Electric socket (1) for a mains plug (2) with at least two contact pins (3), comprising - a base (4) with a front face (5), which has at least two holes (6), and with at least two contacts (7) arranged behind the holes (6) for electrical contacting of, in each case, a contact pin (3), inserted through the holes (6), of the mains plug (2), and - a collar (8), provided for plugging-in the mains plug (2), which is mounted on the base (4) so as to be movable from a rear end position into an front end position in which the collar (8) protrudes further forwards beyond the front face (5) of the base than in the rear end position and surrounds the front face (5) of the base in the manner of a collar, characterized by an extending mechanism (12) which, on the one hand, acts upon the collar (8) and, on the other hand, at least in the rear end position of the collar (8), engages between the front face (5) of the base and the contacts (7) in the path of motion of at least one of the two contact pins (3), and which is designed to extend the collar (8) out of the rear end position into the front end position by means of the at least one inserted contact pin (3).

2. Electric socket according to claim 1, characterized in that the extending mechanism (12) comprises a lever arm (14) which is swivel-mounted on the base (4) and which at one end acts upon the collar (8), in particular is joined thereto by articulation, and at the other end protrudes into the path of motion of the at least one contact pin (3) at least in the rear end position of the collar (8).

3. Electric socket according to claim 2, characterized in that the lever arm (14) is both swivel-mounted and guided in a longitudinally displaceable manner by means of a longitudinal slot (15) on a bearing pin (16) of the base (4).

4. Electric socket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the collar (8) is movable out of the rear end position into the front end position against the action of a restoring force, in particular in the form of a restoring spring (13).

5. Electric socket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the rear end position the collar (8) terminates flush with the front face (5) of the base.

6. Electric socket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical connection between at least one of the contacts (7) and an associated terminal contact (10) of an electric socket housing (9) comprises an electrical switch (17) which is actuated by the collar (8) or by the extending mechanism (12) and which is open in the rear end position of the collar (8) and closed at least in the front end position of the collar (8).

7. Electric socket according to claim 6, characterized in that the electrical switch (17) is closed exclusively in the front end position of the collar (8).

8. Electric socket according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the electrical switch (17) comprises a contact spring (18) which is deflectable by the collar (8) or by the extending mechanism (12) and which in the rear end position of the collar (8) has been lifted away from a mating contact (10) of the switch (17) and at least in the front end position of the collar (8) bears against the mating contact (10) in an electrically conducting manner.

9. Electric socket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the collar (8) comprises on its inner circumferential side at least one protective contact (11) which interacts with a protective contact of the mains plug (2) and which is electrically connected to an earthing terminal (10) of a plug-socket housing (9).

10. Electric socket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an electric socket housing (9) which includes the base (4) and preferably has a circular or a rectangular - in particular, square - outer contour.

11. Electric socket according to claim 10, characterized in that the electric socket housing (9) has respectively complementary terminal contacts (10a, 10b) on two mutually opposing sides.

12. Multiple electric socket (20) with several electric sockets (1) according to one of the preceding claims, arranged in a row in a U-profile (21).

13. Luminaire device (30) with at least one U-profile (32a, 32b) in which a luminaire (31) and at least one electric socket (1) or multiple electric socket (20) according to one of the preceding claims are accommodated.

14. Luminaire device according to claim 13, characterized by a double U-profile (32), the luminaire (31) being accommodated in one U-profile (32a), and the at least one electric socket (1) or multiple electric socket (20) being accommodated in the other U-profile (32b) of the double U-profile (32).