ES2387870T3 - Power supply structure with power outlets located on opposite sides - Google Patents

Abstract

A power supply system (10) is disclosed in which Schuko sockets (18.1,18.2,18.3,18.4,18.5,18.6) are mounted in back-to-back pairs with units between them which provide receptacles (92) for the pins of Schuko plugs. Each unit comprises a moulding (32) of synthetic plastics material which is in the form of a loop with a crossbar (42) dividing the area within the loop into two spaces. Pairs of electrical receptacles are provided in these spaces, one pair of receptacles being neutral and the other being live. The sockets are offset with respect to one another so that the pins of a Schuko plug inserted into one socket of a back-to-back pair enter one neutral and one live receptacle, and the pins of a second Schuko plug being inserted into the other of the back-to-back sockets enters the other neutral receptacle and the other live receptacle.

Description

Structure of power supply with sockets located on opposite sides.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a power supply structure with sockets in which plugs can be inserted.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] For use in sites such as laboratories and kitchens, power supply units mounted in an opening in a work surface have been commercially exploited.

[0003] Examples of such power supply units are shown in US documents No. 2006/0292909 A1, US No. 5,383,799, US No. 2007/0077799 A1 and CA No. 2 036 840 A1.

[0004] Another example of said feed unit is provided in PCT patent specification No. WO2006 / 34513.

[0005] The mobile central column of said unit has a high operating position in which the power outlets are accessible at the top of the work surface and a stored non-operating position in which the entire column except one Top cover is under the work surface.

[0006] The type of outlet used in Germany is called the Schuko outlet. It comprises a cylinder that is closed at one end by a transverse wall. Guides in the form of ribs and ribs extend axially in the cylinder and the transverse wall has two holes. A Schuko plug has the shape of a short cylinder with external ribs and grooves corresponding to those of the outlet. Consequently, the plugs can be inserted into the sockets only in predetermined orientations. Two metal rods protrude from one end of the pin cylinder and enter the holes in the transverse terminal wall of the outlet.

[0007] All electrical connections of the Schuko socket, apart from two ground connections, are located on the side of the transverse terminal wall opposite the space in which the plug is located. Consequently, the depth of a Schuko grounding together with its related electrical connections is significant.

[0008] The transverse dimensions of the mobile column of the type of power supply unit discussed are limited for practical reasons and for aesthetic reasons. In addition, the distance through which the mobile column can be raised is also limited for reasons of stability and aesthetics.

[0009] The consequence of this is that only a single vertical row of Schuko sockets can be provided with generally no more than three sockets in the vertical row.

[0010] Document DE 10 2004 021 969 A1 discloses another power supply unit presenting said Schuko power outlet. Said power supply unit includes a shutter to provide protection against accidental contact.

[0011] A power supply unit according to the preamble of claim 1 is finally known from EP No. 0 961 369 A1, in which two rows of sockets are placed back to back ("back-to- back "). However, these sockets of EP No. 0 961 369 A1 are not provided in the form of Schuko type sockets.

[0012] That is, the depth of the Schuko outlet cannot be reduced or cannot be sufficiently reduced so that it is possible to provide two vertical rows of facing outlets and so that it is possible to provide an increased number of outlets. in a column of acceptable dimensions.

[0013] The present invention seeks to overcome said problem by reducing the space necessary for the electrical connectors of the power outlets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] According to the present invention there is provided a power supply structure comprising two rows of Schuko sockets, the rows being arranged back to back, the Schuko sockets having transverse end walls with holes for pin rods on them and being provided with a shutter behind each terminal wall, the electrical connectors for the power outlets being located in units located between the shutters, each unit including a pair of receptacles that are connected to the live busbar and a pair of receptacles that are They are connected to the neutral busbar.

[0015] Each unit may comprise a molded piece of synthetic plastic material that is in the form of a complete loop with a crossbar that extends through the loop providing receptacle spaces on each side of the crossbar, with walls defining paths separated for live and neutral busbars, generally extending the tracks transversely with respect to the crossbar, with a pair of receptacles for pin rods on each side of the crossbar externally to the molded parts, a pair of receptacles being connected to the live busbar and the other pair of receptacles being connected to the neutral busbar.

[0016] Each busbar can include protruding tabs, and the receptacles of each pair of pin rod receptacles can be joined by a bar, each bar being formed adjacent to a tab that is connected to one of the tabs of one of the busbars, thus connecting the receptacles to the neutral and live busbars.

[0017] In this way, the live and neutral busbars preferably extend along each side of the row of units.

[0018] In the preferred embodiment, each shutter is mounted so that it rotates around its center, presenting an inclined surface on each side of the central mount, against the surfaces of which the rods of a plug which are inserted into the associated socket of said sockets.

[0019] Elastic strips may be provided to retract said shutters to the positions where the plug rod holes close after removing a plug.

[0020] To ensure that the pins of the plugs that are inserted into the sockets do not touch, the sockets arranged in opposition are arranged with a line that joins the openings for the plug rods of a plug at a right angle with respect to a line that joins the openings for the pin rods of the other socket, so that the pin rods inserted into sockets placed back to back enter different receptacles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] For a better understanding of the present invention, and to demonstrate how it can be put into In practice, reference is made below, by way of example, to the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a drawing of a view of a power supply system: Figures 1A and 1B are drawings of views, from the top and bottom, of a molded part of plastic; Figure 2 is a view similar to that of Figure 1 of the column although on a larger scale and in which they have been removed some parts; Figure 3 is an additional view of the column as illustrated in Figure 2 in which parts have been removed additional to allow electrical connections to be illustrated; Figures 4 and 5 are a drawing of a view of the top and a drawing of a view of the bottom of a molded plastic column component; Figure 6 is a side elevation view of the component of Figures 4 and 5; Figure 7 is a detail, on a larger scale, of the lower part of the column of Figure 3; Figures 8 and 9 are drawings of views of a contact structure; Figure 10 is a drawing of a top view of an additional column component; Figure 11 is a drawing of a bottom view of the component of Figure 10; Figure 12 is a top plan view of the component of Figures 10 and 11; Figure 13 is a bottom plan view of the component of Figures 10 and 11; Figure 14 is a side view of the component of Figures 10 to 13; Figure 15 is a drawing of a view of a metal strip that serves as both neutral and live busbar;

Figure 16 is a drawing of a view of a grounding busbar; Figure 17 is a drawing of a view of a grounding structure; Figure 18 is a drawing of a view of a shutter; Y Figure 19 is a drawing of a view of a strip spring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Column 10 illustrated in the drawings comprises two identical molded parts 12.1 and 12.2 arranged back to back. The molded part 12.1 (figures 1A and 1B) comprises two parallel side walls, separated and elongated, 14.1 and 14.2, and a platform 16. Three cylindrical sockets 18.1, 18.2 and 18.3, are integrally molded with the platform 16, extending the cylindrical walls of the power outlets in both directions from the platform 16. Nerves are provided on the internal surfaces of the cylindrical walls. The plugs (not shown) that fit the sockets have complementary grooves, thereby predetermining the position of the plugs with respect to the sockets. Transverse terminal walls 22 with holes 24 for pin rods therein close one end of each socket 18.1, 18.2 and 18.3. The lines joining the holes 24 for the rods are oriented 45 ° with respect to the side walls of the molded part. Consequently, when placing the molded parts back to back, the rod holes 24 of a molded part are not aligned with the rod holes of the other molded part.

[0023] The side walls of the molded part 12.2 are designated 14.3 and 14.4 (figure 1) and the platform thereof is designated 16.1. The sockets of molded part 12.2 are designated 18.4, 18.5 and 18.6.

[0024] Closing tabs 26 are provided to hold molded parts 12.1 and 12.2 together. Each tongue 26 has a rib 28 along its free end. Wall 14.1 has two rectangular holes

30. Molded part 12.2 is similarly configured. By presenting the two molded parts to each other, the walls 14.1 to 14.4 press the tabs 26 inward until the ribs 28 snap into the holes 30.

[0025] Referring to Figures 4 to 6, the molded plastic component illustrated is designated 32. The component defines two paths 34 that are externally limited by external walls 36 protruding from a base 38. The base 38 is of square shape Circular walls 40 in two parts also protrude from base 38 and end close to external walls 36.

[0026] Within the space between the walls 40 there is a crossbar 42 and two walls 44 and

46. Each wall 44, 46 has generally straight parts 48 extending from the crossbar 42. The pairs of parts 48 are joined by curved sections 50, which are approximately parallel to the walls 40.

[0027] Gaps in walls 44, 46 are shown in 52, 54, 56, 58 and 60.

[0028] The cross bar 42 has a central section 62 consisting of two parallel walls 64 with a gap between them and two displaced end sections 66. Sections 66 are offset in opposite directions relative to the gap limited by the walls 64 of the section 62.

[0029] The component shown in Figures 10 to 14 is designated 68 and comprises a generally rectangular platform 70 with four holes 72 for pin rods practiced therein. The holes are arranged in a rectangle shape.

[0030] Two posts 74 protrude from a surface of platform 70 and two angled stops 76 are provided on the same surface. A pair of slightly separated parallel side walls 78 define an L-shaped space to house and locate an elastic metal strip as described later. In the center of the platform 70 is a rod 80.

[0031] The numbers 82 designate rings that are an integral part of the platform 70 and protrude upwards therefrom. Four locking elements 84 are provided on the underside of the platform 70.

[0032] A component 32 and two components 68 are provided in the space between each pair of transverse walls back to back 22, the component 32 being between the two components 68. The elements 84 fit in the designated slots 32.1 (Figures 4 and 5) providing the configuration of component 32, thereby correctly positioning each component 68 with respect to intermediate component 32. A component 68 of each of Figures 3 and 7 has been omitted to allow viewing of component 32.

[0033] An electrically conductive metal strip 86 (Figure 15) forming the neutral component extends along the paths 34 to the left of all three components 32. The strip 86 is bent to conform to the shape of the paths 34 and perforated and bent to form the tabs 88.

[0034] Each of the structures designated 90 (see Figures 8 and 9) is constituted of an electrically conductive metal strip cut and folded to provide two arcuate sections 92 between which the rods of a plug inserted in the associated socket pass . Sections 92 are pushed by the pin rods so that they separate as the plug enters, thereby ensuring that electrical contact occurs between sections 92 and the rods. The sections 92 are joined by a bar 94 which has, in the center thereof, a notch 96 on one edge and a projection 98 along the other edge. The bar 94 is cut in 100 and a part of the bar protrudes forming a connector flange 102.

[0035] The tabs 88 (Figure 15) cooperate with the tabs 102 so that the strip 86 is electrically connected with the structures 90.

[0036] Two structures 90 are mounted on each component 32, as can be seen in Figure 7, and one is located on each side of the crossbar 42. The pairs of structures 90 and 98 are crimped with the components 32.

[0037] An additional electrically conductive metal strip 86 passes through the paths 34 to the right of the components 32 and forms the live busbar. The strip 86 that forms the live busbar is inverted with respect to the strip that forms the neutral busbar. In this way, the structure 90 on one side of the crossbar 42 has electricity and the structure 90 on the other side of the crossbar 42 is neutral.

[0038] An electrically conductive grounding plate 104 (see Figure 17) is adjusted by pressure into a transverse groove (see Figures 10 and 12) of the platform 70. The grounding plate 104 has two holes 106 made therein. The rings 82 that are an integral part with the platform 70, and protruding upwards therefrom, enter the holes 106 in the plate 104. This ensures that the pins of the plug cannot touch the grounding plate.

[0039] A raised contact 108 of electrically conductive elastic metal is provided at each end of the plate 104. More specifically, a sub-plate with the contacts 108 at each end thereof is provided at the bottom of the plate 104. The contacts 104 pass through holes 110 (Figure 1B) in the end walls 22 of the associated socket and protrude into the space that a pin occupies in the socket (see Figure 1A). Posts 74 limit the outward movement of contacts 108. Each grounding plate 104 is connected by a flange 112 to a grounding strip 114 (see Figure 16) that extends along the outside of each component 32 (see in particular figure 7). Strip 114 is perforated and folded to provide recesses 116 in which flanges 112 fit. Strip 114 has sets of recesses 116 along each edge thereof. In this way, strip 114 can be used as grounding for both rows of sockets.

[0040] A plug 118 is mounted on the rod 80. An upward extension 120 of the plug is immediately adjacent to the transverse wall 22 of the associated socket. The plug 118, as best seen in Figure 18, has inclined upper surfaces 122 on each side of the extension 120. The shutters 118 as shown in Figure 2 cover the holes 72 for the plug rods of the component 68 corresponding to the holes 24 for the plug pins of the socket. When the rods of the plug which is inserted with the inclined upper surfaces 122 of the plug 118 are turned, this 118 is rotated, uncovering the holes 72 and allowing the rods to be inserted in the generally circular spaces defined by the structures 90. The rods they enter the rings 82 of the opposite component 68.

[0041] Elastic strips 124 (Figure 19) located in the recesses located between the walls 78 rest on the shutters 118. When removing the plug, the strip 124, which had been deformed by turning the device 118 during the insertion of the plug, backs the shutter to the position illustrated. Said movement is limited by stops 76.

[0042] It will be understood that the sockets arranged in opposition, such as 18.2 and 18.5, can each receive a plug. The rods of each pin are inserted into the structures on opposite sides of the crossbar 42, thus connecting to the live and neutral parts of the power supply system with the pin rods in different sections 92.

Claims (6)

one.

Power supply structure comprising two rows of sockets (18.1, 18.2, 18.3, 18.4, 18.5, 18.6), the rows being arranged back to back, presenting the sockets (18.1, 18.2, 18.3, 18.4, 18.5, 18.6) transverse terminal walls (22) with holes (24) for pin rods and there is a shutter (118) behind each terminal wall, being electrical connectors for the sockets (18.1, 18.2, 18.3, 18.4, 18.5, 18.6) in units located between the shutters (18), each unit including a pair of receptacles (92) that are connected to a live busbar (86) and a pair of receptacles (92) that are connected to a neutral busbar (86) , characterized in that the sockets (18.1, 18.2, 18.3, 18.4, 18.5, 18.6) are Schuko sockets (18.1, 18.2, 18.3, 18.4, 18.5, 18.6) and because each unit comprises a molded part (32) of synthetic plastic material that presents the shape of a complete loop with a tran bar sversal (42) extending through the loop providing receptacle spaces on each side of the crossbar (42), with walls (36, 38, 40) defining separate paths (34) for live busbars (86) and neutral, the paths (34) generally extending in a transverse direction with respect to the crossbar (42), there is also a pair of receptacles (92) for pin rods on each side of the crossbar (42), a pair being connected of receptacles (92) to the live busbar (86) and the other pair of receptacles (92) being connected to the neutral busbar (86).

2.

Power supply structure according to claim 1, wherein each busbar (86) includes protruding tabs (88) and wherein the receptacles (92) of each pair of receptacles (92) are connected by a bar (94) , each bar (94) being formed next to each end with a flange that is connected to one of the tabs (88) of one of the busbars, thus connecting the receptacles (92) to the neutral and live busbars (86).

3.

Power supply structure according to claim 2, wherein the live and neutral busbars (86) extend one along each side of the row of units.

Four.

Power supply structure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each shutter (118) is mounted to rotate around its center, there is an inclined surface (22) on each side of the central mount, against the surfaces (22) of which bump the rods of a plug that is inserted into the associated socket of said sockets (18.1, 18.2, 18.3, 18.4, 18.5, 18.6).

5.

Power supply structure according to claim 4, and which includes elastic strips to retract said shutters (118) to the positions where the pin rod holes (24) close when the plug is removed.

6.

Power supply structure according to any one of the preceding claims, in which Schuko sockets (18.1, 18.2, 18.3, 18.4, 18.5, 18.6) are arranged back to back with lines connecting the plug rod openings of a right angle socket with a line that joins the pin rod openings of the other socket, so that the pin rods inserted in the sockets placed on the back against the back 18.1, 18.2, 18.3, 18.4, 18.5, 18.6) enter receptacles (92 ) different.

 REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION This list of references cited by the applicant is solely for the convenience of the reader. It is not part of the European patent document. Despite the care taken in the collection of references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO denies any responsibility in this regard.  Patent documents cited in the description 10 • U S 20 06 029 290 9 A1 [0003] • WO 200 63 451 3 A [0004]

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U S 53 83 799 A [0003] • D E 102 004 02 196 9 A1 [0010]

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U S 20 07 007 779 9 A1 [0003] • EP 09 613 69 A 1 [0011]

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C A 20 36 840 A1 [0003]