EP0321810A2 - coupler socket - Google Patents

Abstract

A connector socket having a contact covering member (4), which can be moved by the associated plug (32), for the electrically conductive contacts (5,6) has a switch (44) which is likewise to be operated by the plug (32), is provided with at least one switch contact (45, 46) and is structurally combined with the connector socket housing (1). In consequence, different switching functions can be carried out with the plug (32) as a function of the position of the covering member (4). <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to an appliance socket, in particular for cooking chambers, such as ovens, microwave ovens or the like. Such sockets usually have an insulating material, for example a housing-like support, and at least one receptacle for inserting the plug pin of an associated appliance plug. In most cases, two current-carrying current contacts and also a grounding contact are provided in the area of the receptacle, which is preferably located between the current contacts in such a way that all three plug openings are provided in a common axial plane.

The invention has for its object to design a device socket of the type mentioned so that a safe function is guaranteed with a simple structure, preferably at least one electrical or similar switching function should be carried out without a separate actuation with the socket.

To solve this problem, plug openings are provided for the current contacts or the grounding contact, the socket preferably having at least one switch contact to be operated with the device plug for a device function, such as switching on at least one of the socket contacts, lighting, a display, a blower or the like. Instead of a switch-on contact, however, at least one switch contact can also be designed as a switch-off contact and / or as a switchover contact.

To secure the interior of the carrier or at least one contact when the plug or plug pin is removed, a cover member is provided which can be transferred from its securing position into a release position in which the plug can be inserted freely into the plug openings. It is conceivable to design the cover member in such a way that it is transferred to its release position by removing or removing it from the socket, and the arrangement can be such that the switching process is triggered. However, a design, storage and arrangement of the cover member or the socket essentially according to DE-OS 34 14 213, to which reference is made for further details and effects, is particularly advantageous.

So that direct contact of movable contact parts of the switch contacts by the plug is not necessary, as is also conceivable, at least one actuating element, preferably made of insulating material, for one, several or all of the switch contacts is movably mounted in the housing or in a housing part. This actuator is expediently moved by engagement with at least one plug pin, in particular the ground contact plug pin, of the plug, although it is also conceivable for the arrangement voltage so that the insulating carrier of the plug carrying the plug actuates the switch contacts. Instead of a pivotable or similar mounting of the actuator, a linearly displaceable mounting is preferably provided. So that several, for example three or four switching contacts can be housed flat and clearly, for example one above the other and immediately adjacent to one another, their switching movement is transverse to the plugging direction of the plug or instead or in addition to this approximately parallel to the direction of displacement of the plate-shaped or web-shaped cover member directed.

The actuating member, which can also be formed, for example, by a one-part component with the cover member, can either act directly on the movable contact part or parts of the switching contacts, in particular on contact springs, or it can act on the respective contact part via at least one additional intermediate member, so that the direction of actuation and the direction of switching movement may differ from one another, for example may be approximately at right angles to one another. The switching movement directions of at least two switching contacts can also differ from one another, preferably in opposite directions. Furthermore, it is conceivable to provide two or more actuators and / or intermediate members directly actuated by the respective actuator for separate switching contacts, so that they can be accommodated in the most favorable spatial arrangement.

In some cases it is particularly advantageous if the design is such that at least one switching contact or several or all switching contacts are only actuated when at least one connector pin, for example se the earthing plug or several or all plug pins have already come into engagement with the associated socket contact. In other cases, however, it can also be advantageous to provide the design in such a way that at least one switching contact or several or all switching contacts have been actuated first before the said engagement of the plug in the one or more socket contacts is given. In the first case, a separate actuating member or an actuating member to be actuated independently of the covering member by the plug or the plug pin is expediently provided, while in the second case, an actuating member actuated directly by the covering member or depending on its position is expediently provided.

The one or more switch contacts can be provided in at least one separate switch housing, which is expediently arranged or fastened directly on the socket housing and either at least partially within it or on one of its outer sides, for example, such that it is in an otherwise closed wall has a passage opening for the actuation of the switching contacts or for the displaceable engagement or penetration of the actuating member and / or the intermediate member. The switch housing can also be formed at least partially or in one piece with the socket housing. In any case, it is expedient only about the thickness of an intermediate wall of the housing at a distance from the socket contacts. If the socket housing is designed in two parts, for example, in such a way that it has a front housing part which has the plug openings and a rear housing part which carries the socket contacts, the switch housing is expediently connected to only one of these two housing parts or formed in one piece, so that the switch contact arrangement can be assembled together with this housing part as a self-contained assembly, for example having all the electrically conductive parts.

The contact spring or the contact springs are designed so that they serve as return springs for transferring the associated contact parts into the respective starting position. The arrangement can be such that the spring force acting here also acts as a restoring force on the cover member to the extent that the cover member is loaded or moved to its securing position. Although it is conceivable to provide a separate return spring acting directly on the cover member instead or in addition to this, the arrangement can also be provided such that at least one contact spring or all contact springs are provided as the return spring for the cover member. If the switch contact (s) are switched via the cover member, the switch function is triggered in any case when the cover member is moved in the direction of its release position.

• Fig. 1 eine erfindungsgemäße Geräte-Steckdose im Querschnitt,
• Fig. 2 die Steckdose gem. Fig. 1 in Ansicht auf die Rückseite und geöffnet,
• Fig. 3 die Steckdose gem. den Figuren 1 und 2 in Draufsicht,
• Fig. 4 die Steckdose gem. Fig. 1 in Vorderan­sicht,
• Fig. 5 und 6 eine weitere Ausführungsform in Darstel­lungen gem. den Figuren 1 und 2,
• Fig. 7 die Steckdose gem. den Figuren 5 und 6 in Draufsicht und
• Fig. 8 die Steckdose nach Fig. 5 in Vorderan­sicht.

These and further features of preferred developments of the invention are evident from the claims and also from the description and the drawings, the individual features being implemented individually or in groups in the form of sub-combinations in one embodiment of the invention and in other fields, and can represent advantageous and protectable versions for which protection is claimed here. An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings and is explained in more detail below. The drawings show:

• 1 is a device socket according to the invention in cross section,
• Fig. 2 the socket according. 1 in view of the back and opened,
• Fig. 3 shows the socket. 1 and 2 in plan view,
• Fig. 4 shows the socket. 1 in front view,
• 5 and 6 a further embodiment in representations acc. Figures 1 and 2,
• Fig. 7 the socket according. Figures 5 and 6 in plan view and
• Fig. 8 shows the socket of FIG. 5 in front view.

The device socket acc. Figures 1 to 4 is provided, for example, for the connection of different grill radiators or other devices to be used in the household or in the oven, such as grill motors, forced air fans or the like. It has an essentially two-part housing 1, which is composed of two housing parts 2, 3 located one behind the other, made of a ceramic-like insulating material, and a cover member 4, which is mounted between them and can be displaced against a return spring 7, made of a similar or identical insulating material. The housing parts 2, 3 are held together with two hollow rivets 8.

The front housing part 2 has a front wall 9 which is projecting forward from a flange shoulder 10 in such a way that it forms the bottom surface of a countersink. The housing part 3, which has a greater overall depth, is tensioned against the rear side of this wall 9, in which three adjacent openings 12 are provided for receiving the metallic contacts 5, 6. Each of these contacts 5, 6 is accessible through a plug opening 13, 14 in the wall 9 from the countersink 11, and all plug openings 13, 14 and the countersink 11 lie in a common axial plane 15. The two outer plug openings 13 belong to the current-carrying ones Contacts 5 and the middle plug opening 14 to a grounding contact 6. The plug direction of the socket is indicated by arrow 18.

Provided in the rear of the housing part 2 is an approximately plate-shaped or web-shaped cover member 4 which extends over all plug openings 13, 14 and takes up the manner of a sliding guide, the lateral boundary surfaces 20 and a bottom surface 21 which is further away from the plug openings for support which also has return spring 7 arranged in it. Instead of a single return spring 7, two or more return springs, for example located in the area of the boundary surfaces 20, between the base surface 21 and the cover member 4 can be provided completely closed to the outside within the recess 19, the base surface 21 of which is at a very short distance from the lower outer surface 17 of the Housing part 2 is. The height of the cover member 4 can be between single and double the diameter of the plug openings 13, 14. In the area of the middle plug opening 14, the cover member 4 can be provided with a web 24 which projects beyond its front side and extends over its height and which fits into a corresponding guide slot 16 engages on the back of the wall 9 or in the recess 19. On its longitudinal side or outer edge 23 associated with the plug openings 13, 14, the cover member 4 is provided with a leading edge 27 which lies approximately in the middle between its lateral plate edges 22 and is approximately 45 ° inclined and which is essentially continuous over the associated end of the web 24 passes through and which, when subjected to pressure by a plug pin inserted into the plug opening 14 in the direction of arrow 18, leads to the cover member 4 previously closing all plug openings 13, 14 in the direction of arrow 25 for the release position according to FIG. Fig. 4 is transferred. By means of the return spring 7, the cover member 4 can then be moved again in the direction of arrow 26 to the securing position. The return spring 7 rests on the longitudinal edge or end face 31 of the cover member 4 facing away from the outer edge 23, which also lies completely within the housing 1 and thus covered in the release position.

1, which has three plug pins 33, 34 belonging to the plug openings 13, 14 and belonging to one another, of which the middle grounding plug pin 34 is slightly longer than the other two, equally long current plug pins 33 is. The plug pins 33, 34 are arranged on an insulating support 35, the outline of which is only slightly smaller than the countersink 11 and the axial extent of which is approximately the same as the depth of the countersink 11. At the rear end, the insulating support 35 has a support plate 36, which protrudes like a shield over its outline and has the ends of a grill heating element 37, which is both electrically connected by inserting the plug 32 into the socket is held mechanically or statically. The socket in turn is attached to the flange 10 so that only the latter is exposed.

If the plug 32 is inserted into the socket, the spherical cap-shaped or frustoconically tapered end surface of the middle plug pin 34 comes into contact with the run-up surface 27, which may be concavely channel-shaped in its contact area and has a low coefficient of friction due to glazing, so that the cover member 4 is automatically transferred to the release position. Before the plug pins 33 have reached the current contacts 5, the distance between the insulating support 35 and the front of the flange shoulder 10 is already so small that the countersink 11 is practically closed, the plug pin 34 already being in engagement with the grounding contact 6. The contacts 5, 6 can each be formed in a simple manner by a clamping bushing provided with a spring clip 42, which on the top of the housing 1 forms a connector 43 which projects freely to the rear in the form of, for example, a flat tongue, all connectors 43 being adjacent to one another.

A multiple switch 44 is integrated or structurally combined with the socket, which essentially only projects over a single one, namely, for example, the rear outer surface of the socket or the housing parts 2, 3 and otherwise at most up to the transverse outer surfaces of the housing 1 is enough. The switch 44 has a plurality of, for example four, switch contacts 45, 46 lying one above the other transversely to the axial plane 15 and approximately symmetrically on both sides of this axial plane or centrally symmetrically to the plug opening 14. Each switching contact, which can also be designed as a snap contact with a snap spring, has a movable contact part 47 at the end of a contact spring 48 which projects freely parallel to the axial plane 15 and transversely to the plug openings 13, 14 and which is carried at the other end by a tongue 49 lying transversely to it. On a corresponding tongue 50 lying parallel or at the same level as this tongue 49, the respectively associated, stationary contact part opposite the movable contact part 47 is also provided. The contact springs 48, which are cranked adjacent to their contact parts 47, of the switching contacts 45 lying on one side of the axial plane 15 protrude in the opposite direction to the contact springs 48 of those switching contacts 46 which lie on the other side of the axial plane 15.

The switching contacts 45 are separated from the contacts 5, 6 by the rear wall 51 of the housing part 3, in which a plunger-like actuating member 52, for example formed by a collar bolt, is slidably mounted in the axis of the plug opening 14 and is located on the outside or rear side the wall 51 protrudes and is otherwise completely sunk inside the wall 51. In the area of the switching contacts 45, 46, approximately in the middle of the length of the contact springs 48, there are two web-shaped intermediate members 53 on both sides of the actuating member 52 or approximately symmetrical to an axial plane of the plug opening 14 that is perpendicular to the axial plane 15 the ends of the actuator 52 rest against wedge surfaces 54, which can abut, for example, through a frustoconical section of the otherwise essentially cylindrical actuator 52. As a result, an axial movement of the actuating member 52 backwards via the wedge surfaces 54 leads to a movement of the intermediate members 53 radially outward transversely to the axial plane 15. Between a collar which is at the end of the actuation remote from the wedge surface 54 member 52 is provided and an annular shoulder in the wall 51 is a surrounding the actuating member 52 return spring 55 which, for example, consisting of a ceramic-like insulating material actuating member 52 after release into its initial position. Fig. 1 leads back, in which its associated end is immediately adjacent to the contact 6. The respective intermediate member 53 is held or carried exclusively by its connection to at least one of the associated contact springs 48, for which purpose it has at least one V-shaped or curved transverse slot 56 in its longitudinal edge facing away from the wall 51, in which the associated contact spring 48 also coexists engages a correspondingly shaped section 57 lying approximately in the middle of its length. As a result, the intermediate members 53 can be stored on the fly practically without contact. At the contact springs 48 which are furthest away from the actuating member 52, the intermediate members 53 rest with their web ends in the manner of cutting edge bearings on the projecting sides of the associated sections 57. The contact springs 48 also serve as return springs for returning the intermediate members 53 to the starting position.

When inserting the plug 32 into the socket at the end of the grounding pin 34 passes beyond the back of the grounding contact 6, so that it runs onto the adjacent end of the actuator 52 and takes it against the force of the return spring 55. As a result, the intermediate members 53 are taken radially outward at right angles to the actuating member 52 via the wedge surfaces 54 and the switching contacts 45, 46 - depending on the arrangement and design - are closed or opened. The provision of actuation member 52 when pulling the plug 32 can also be done exclusively via the force of the contact springs 48.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the switch housing 58 receiving the switch contacts 45, 46 is essentially formed in one piece with the housing 1 or the housing part 3 and closed at the rear with a flat cover 59. The tongues 49, 50 can either be attached to the base body of the housing 58, that is to say to the wall 51, or to the cover 59 by insertion. They expediently form flat plugs 61 or similar connection means which pass through the cover 59 and project parallel to one another over the outside thereof. The housing 58 expediently forms at least one ventilation opening 60, which can then be provided on the top and on the cover 59.

In FIGS. 5 to 8, the same reference numerals are used for corresponding parts as in FIGS. 1 to 4, but with the index "a".

In this embodiment, the switch 44a is provided between the front and the rear of the housing 1a on one of its outer surfaces, in particular on the underside, the switch housing 58a being provided, for example, by a separate, suitably on one of the two housing parts can be formed on the housing part 2a, attached part or be formed in one piece with a housing part 2a. The actuating element 52a in the form of a web lying at right angles to the plate plane of the covering element 4a and extending parallel to its direction of movement arrow 25a is in this case moved directly and simultaneously with the covering element 4a, which is why this actuating element 52a is also formed in one piece with the covering element 4a forms can be. The actuating member 52a directly adjoins the end face 31a of the cover member 4a, for which purpose the recess 19a is provided with a suitable passage opening toward the switch housing 58a. The actuating member 52a has on its web edge facing away from the wall 51a directly the plug-in slots 56a for receiving the contact springs 48a, so that intermediate members are not required and the switching contacts 45a can be actuated directly by the cover member 4a. The web height of the actuator 52a can be equal to the thickness of the cover member 4a in the region of its web, so that the actuator 52a practically forms a continuation of this web. The switch 44a or the switch housing 58a is set back slightly from the front of the flange projection 10a, so that it can be inserted unhindered from the outside of a wall, for example the rear wall of a baking oven muffle, through an opening adapted to it. In this embodiment, the housing parts 2a, 3a can also be formed in one piece with one another, since the cover member 4a can be inserted into the housing 1a from the side of the switch 44a before the switch contacts 45a are installed or before the switch contacts 45a are installed. If a correspondingly large number of switching contacts are required or if both switching contacts are required which are only actuated after the electrically conductive plug connection has been established, and those which are actuated beforehand, two or more switches can be provided on one and the same socket. For example, a switch 44a according to FIGS. 5 to 8 can also be attached to the design according to FIGS. 1 to 3.

Claims (10)

1. Appliance socket, in particular for cooking chambers, such as ovens, microwave ovens or the like, with a socket housing (1) made of insulating material, characterized in that there are two adjacent plug openings (13) for current-carrying current contacts ( 5) and in particular has a plug opening (14) between them for a grounding contact (6) behind it. 2. Socket, in particular according to claim 1, characterized in that a from a secured position (Fig. 1) in a release position (Fig. 4) transferable contact cover member (4) for electrical protection against contact of at least one contact when the connector pins are removed (33, 34th ) of the associated device connector (32) is provided and that preferably adjacent to the cover member (4) and this at least partially shielded at least in the securing position, at least one switch contact (45, 46) to be operated with the device plug (32) is provided for a device function. 3. Socket, in particular according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in the housing (1) at least one in particular consisting of insulating material, from the plug (32) or at least one plug pin (33, 34) to be actuated actuator (52) for at least one of the switching contacts (45, 46) is movable, preferably linearly displaceable, and in particular that the switching movement of at least one switching contact (45, 46) is transverse to the direction of insertion (arrow 18) of the plug (32) or approximately parallel to the direction of displacement (arrow 25 , 26) of the cover member (4) is directed. 4. Socket, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one actuating member (52a) for at least one switching contact (45a) directly influenced by the cover member (4a), in particular simultaneously and / or in the same direction movable with it and preferably by one Part is formed which lies on a side of the cover member (4a) facing away from the central axis of the respective plug opening (14) or that at least one actuating member (52) for at least one switching contact (45, 46) is directly connected to at least one plug pin (34). influenced, in particular simultaneously and / or in the same direction movable with it and is preferably formed by a part which lies on the side of the associated contact (6) facing away from the cover member (4). 5. Socket, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one actuator (52a) for at least one switching contact (45a) substantially form-fitting with its movable contact part (47a), in particular between the ends with a bearing this contact part, free protruding contact spring (48a) is connected and preferably in each case has a plug slot (56a) with sections of different course in a web longitudinal side for the positive connection. 6. Socket, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one actuator (52) for at least one switching contact (45, 46) as a driver only in one direction of movement (arrow 18, 25, 26) form-fitting with the associated movable contact part (47), in particular via an intermediate member (53) receiving the associated contact spring (48) in a plug-in slot (56), and preferably via a wedge surface (54) on the intermediate member movable transversely to it or parallel to the cover member (4) (53) is present. 7. Socket, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one actuator (52a) or at least one intermediate member (53a) essentially exclusively by its connection with the associated movable contact part (47a, 47) or with the associated Contact spring (48a, 48) is guided or mounted. 8. Socket, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two switch contacts to be actuated in opposite directions (45, 46), in particular on both sides of the actuating element (52), and that preferably the oppositely freely projecting contact springs (48) of these switching contacts (45, 46) are positively connected with separate, oppositely displaceable intermediate members (53). 9. Socket, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the switch contact (s) (45, 46) are arranged in at least one switch housing (58) which is integrated on the outside of the socket housing (1) and which in particular with a housing cover (59) which is accessible from the outside of the socket housing (1) and points to the rear thereof and / or that connecting means, such as connecting plugs (43, 61), the socket and the switch (44) are on the same side the socket, especially on the back, lie or protrude freely parallel to each other. 10. Socket, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the switching contacts (45a) and the cover member (4a) are influenced by a common return spring, preferably the contact spring (48a) or the contact springs as a return spring for the Cover member (4a) are provided.

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