ES2341112T3 - CONNECTOR FOR ELECTRICAL DEVICES. - Google Patents

Abstract

The connection for an electrical device, especially a light, has contact elements formed on a plug connector (9) connected to a terminal (1). The contact elements are fixed on a contact carrier (16) which is mounted to move longitudinally on the housing of the plug connector. A stop at least limiting the longitudinal movability of the contact carrier is formed on the plug connector. A counter-stop is formed in the region of the terminal in such a way that in the final fitted position of the plug connector the stop is moved by the counterstop from its blocking position into an open position enabling longitudinal movement of the contact carrier.

Description

Connector for electrical appliances.

The present invention relates to a connector for electrical appliances, especially lighting. The connector for electrical appliances presents for it in the body of the device electrical a connection terminal. About this connection terminal, A plug connector can be connected. This plug connector has one or more plug contacts or socket contacts for external connection to a network cable. With the cable of the network is then connected the electrical device to the network current available. For the electrical connection of the connector plug with the connection terminal, constitute the connector of plug other additional contact elements that are introducible in contact housings in the terminal Connection. The contact elements of the plug connector are built in a complementary way to the contact housings of the connection terminal. Correspondingly, an element of contact is in electrical conduction contact with one of the socket contacts of the plug contacts. The plug contacts or socket contacts are connected to conductive form through the contact elements, in situation assembly, with the contact housings of the terminal Connection. In the connection terminal, they are then constituted with the contact accommodations some places of connection connected conductively, in which they are connected the internal wiring of the electrical appliance.

In connection devices of this type, the contact elements are usually plugged into the contact accommodations. On these connection devices, it therefore presents the technical problem that the connector of plug can be removed from the connection terminal, while the plug contact or socket contact is connected to the network cable. This results in the elements of contact are then completely subjected to stress electric In case the user touches the elements of contact that is under tension, injuries may occur and, in the worst case, fatal accidents.

EP 1150399 describes a connector for an electrical appliance, according to the introductory part of the claim 1.

Starting from this problem, the objective of the The present invention is to disclose a connector for a electrical appliance with a plug connector and a terminal connection, so that the contact elements are always protected against contact with the user. This goal is achieved according to the present invention, according to the combination of characteristics of claim 1. The claims Dependents contain additional developments of the invention that they are partially advantageous and partially inventive in themselves same.

According to the invention, to guarantee the protection against human contact, contact elements electrical are fixed to a support of said contacts. This contact support is scrollable on the body of the plug connector. The capacity of contact support displacement in the longitudinal direction is limited by at least one blocking stop, so that the contact elements cannot be found outside the body envelope of the plug connector, while said connector of plug is not connected to the connection. In case the plug connector is not connected to the connection terminal, it finds, therefore, the locking stop in a position of blockage that prevents the movement of the contact support, by at least in such a way that the contact elements cannot leave of the enclosure body of the plug connector. For the connection of plug connector to the connection terminal, has been constituted the connection terminal area a complementary stop. This cap complementary works with the locking stop jointly, of so that the complementary stop displaces the blocking stop to its opening position as soon as the plug connector has reached its mounting position with respect to the terminal Connection. As soon as the blocking stop has reached its opening position, the contact support can be moved linearly, with the result that the contact elements are introduced as planned in the accommodation of Contact.

The advantage of the invention is that the plug connector can be separated from the connection terminal even under electrical voltage, without this entailing a risk that the user may be injured or that by the action of the elements of Contact may occur a fatal accident.

According to claim 2, it is advantageous to constitute the skid-shaped contact support in the body plug connector enclosure with an arc structure in U-shape. This arrangement has the advantage that the element in U shape can perform a double function. While the faces front of the arms of the U are in position of block on the block stop, that is, what constitute the contact support locking elements, side faces of the U-shaped element function as guiding pieces. At enclosure body of the plug connector is constituted, so therefore, a corresponding guidance track, so that the U-shaped element constitutes, together with this guiding track, guiding means together with the side surfaces of the element in U shape as guiding surfaces. Through this hint of guided, the guidance of the support of the contact in the housing of the plug connector. Arm horizontal of the U-shaped element of said arc element acts as a support element for one or more elements of Contact. For the contact of the plug connector with the terminal connection in the mounting position of the plug connector, the U-shaped arc must be driven exclusively down to move safely on the guidance track to the contact position of the contact elements and the contact accommodations. Obviously, it is also possible to provide several U-shaped elements in the plug connector as Contact support for different contact elements. From according to the invention, all contact elements must be advantageously fixed in a U-shaped arc as contact support

According to claim 3, the stop of blocking is performed in an additional development in the form of L-shaped tongue The L-shaped tongue features a vertical arm with spring elasticity, which acts as an arm of support for the locking stop. The additional horizontal arm of the L then constitutes a blocking arm that constitutes then the locking stop itself. This locking arm  establishes contact with the front faces of the element in the form of U of the contact support in locked position. In this way, the contact support constituted in the form of a U-shaped arch is specially insured in its position of repose.

According to claim 4, the body of the device is traversed by a mounting opening. The mounting opening releases, on the one hand, a step for a Contact housing in the connection terminal. On the other hand, the mounting opening is arranged such that the connector plug can be guided inside the mounting opening not only vertically, but also horizontally between a entry position and a mounting position, which can be shifted back and forth. It is also possible expand the mounting opening by other guide openings. With corresponding guiding parts in the plug connector, these guide openings then constitute a slide of guided for the plug connector in the introduction in your entry position and in horizontal displacement in your final mounting position.

This embodiment increases security of service connection significantly. Apart from the vertical displacement components in the connector assembly of plug, another displacement component is available horizontal. Only when the user has completely done both movements, the locking stop releases the support of contacts This ensures that the plug connector is is fixed at all times on the terminal or terminal of connection or over the enclosure above said terminal or connection terminal before the contact elements can be moved out of the connector housing of plug in its contact position. The service security of this embodiment can still be increased when at end of horizontal displacement of the plug connector is you can hear a sensitive noise of one or several mechanical elements of fixing ("click"). The user then receives a warning acoustic that the plug connector has reached its position of assembly, in which the displacement of the elements of contact out of the enclosure body of the plug connector with the help of contact support without danger to the user. By horizontal displacement of the plug connector, after the introduction in an upright position, it is also prevented that the plug connector may fall due to a defective placement with respect to the enveloping body in the situation in which the contact elements are outside the connector housing plug

According to claim 5, it is advantageous fix the complementary stop on the connection terminal. Is advantageous that the complementary stop is injection molded in One piece in the connection terminal. The complementary stop crosses, according to claim 5, the opening of mounting in the direction of the plug connector and can act jointly advantageously with the locking stop in the plug connector assembly. In this way, the blocking stop and the complementary stop are arranged in close proximity with with respect to the point of separation between the contact elements of the plug connector and terminal contact contacts Connection. They are, therefore, in the vicinity of the functional point where the connection takes place, according to the present invention

Claim 6 refers to performance, especially advantageous, of the top of lock and complementary stop. In the introduction position of the plug connector, after vertical insertion into the mounting opening, the locking stop and the complementary stop are they find each other overlapping in the direction horizontal side by side. Since the complementary stop It is rigidly constructed while the locking stop It is built in a scrollable way, especially with elasticity spring, the locking stop, when moving the plug connector in horizontal direction, it will be pushed out of position for the complementary stop. The complementary stop passes through therefore, to the blocking stop from its blocking position to its position opening.

It is especially advantageous, according to the claim 7, the use of the L-shaped locking stop, according to claim 3. In this embodiment, the arm of horizontal lock acts as a surface stop surface large over the complementary top. When you try to push the contact support in the locking position of the locking stop to release the contacts from the housing of the connector plug, faces are locked in this embodiment front of the U-shaped element similar to the locking arm, which guarantees a high security of service. The arm of spring-loaded support flexes the locking stop in the blocking operation through the complementary stop, so such that the front faces of the U-element of the support of contact are released again, so that the support of contacts can be moved to its mounting position, in which the contact elements are introduced in the housings of Contact.

According to claim 8, it is advantageous constituting the contact elements in the form of plugs blueprints. The constitution of contacts is especially advantageous of connection, according to claim 9, since the connection further improves from the technical point of view of the connection security. In this embodiment, in the contact elements constitute contact clamps, which establish contact above with the plug contacts plug sockets only in the mounting position of the contact support. On the contrary, if the locking stop retains the contact support in its open locked position, the electrical connection between the contacts of the plug or socket contacts on one side and the elements of contact on the other, which further increases the security of the device against eventual contact of the user.

The present invention is explained in its peculiarities through the attached drawing figures corresponding to embodiments.

Figure 1 shows a representation of a embodiment of the connection terminal, according to a view in perspective;

Figure 2a shows a first form of embodiment of the plug connector, according to the invention, according to a perspective view of the plug contacts;

Figure 2b shows the plug connector shown in figure 2a, but showing the contacts of cap

Figure 3 shows the plug connector in final mounting position on the terminal of the Figure 3, shown only partially, in a representation in section, so that it is visible, especially the support of contacts with individual contact elements;

Figure 4 shows a second form of connection terminal and plug connector embodiment before assembly;

Figure 5 shows the detail (V) of the figure 4;

Figure 6 shows the plug connector arranged on the connection terminal, according to figure 4, but in a perspective view other than the position of introduction;

Figure 7 shows the detail (VII) of the figure 6;

Figure 8 shows the plug connector, according to figure 6, in its final mounting position, and

Figure 9 shows the detail (IX) of the figure 8.

The connection terminal (1) has points or connection locations (2) for the internal wiring connection of the electrical device or apparatus, not shown in the drawings. These Connection places can be activated by means of a button (3). On the upper face (5) of the directed terminal, in the position of connection terminal assembly (1), towards the wall (4) of the body of the electrical device, are the openings of the contact housings (6) and two complementary stops (7). The complementary contacts (7) are injection molded in the fixing projections (8), in this embodiment.

The plug connectors (9) receive in your plug-in connection body (10) the plug contacts (11) and, connected to the plug contacts accordingly, the connected bushing contacts (12). On the body of plug (10) is further formed a guide projection (13). On the plug body (11) it is constituted, on both sides, a guide track (14). On each guide track (14) is arranged a U-shaped element (15) of a contact support (16) constituted in a U-shaped arch, being movable longitudinally, according to the vertical position (17). On the face internal element (18) that joins the arms of the U-element (15), from the contact support (16), directed to the plug connector  (10), injection molded retention nerves are found for the contact elements (19). The contact elements (19) they also support contact pliers (20), which in the position of assembly establish contact above with the plug contacts (11) or bushing contacts (12).

Finally, it is constituted in the body (10) of the plug connector (9) the locking stop (21). In this locking stop (21) is the front faces of the U-element (15) in the exemplary embodiment in the position of block stop lock (21).

As can be seen in Figure 4, the connection terminal (1) is fixed on the wall (4) of the body envelope partially shown in figure 4. The wall (4) of the Enclosure body is traversed by a mounting opening (22). The mounting opening (22) is configured in this case so which releases the passage in the vertical direction (17) through the wall (4) of the housing on the contact housings (6) in vertical direction (17). On the wall (4) of the enveloping body, it is also formed a guide slide (23). Through this guide slide (23) is inserted into the connector assembly plug (9) the guide projection (13) in the vertical direction (17) and guide to the plug connector (9) in the steering mount horizontal (24). In assembly, the plug connector (9) is placed from above on the wall (4) of the enclosure body in the vertical direction (17). Since the plug connector (9) does not has still reached its mounting position, the locking stop (21) is located on the front face of the arm of the U-element (15) shown in Figure 5, of the contact support (16). The top lock (21) is constituted in this case in the form of L. the vertical arm of the L constitutes a support arm (25), while  that the horizontal arm of the L of the blocking stop (21) constitutes the locking arm (26) proper. Lock arm (26) establishes contact below, as can be seen in the Figure 5, with the front face of the U-element (15) of the support contacts (16), equipped with a vertical slot (27).

After plug connector placement (9) on the wall (4) of the enclosure or of the terminal connections (1), the plug connector (9) is located in its insertion position shown in figure 6. In this position of introduction are the blocking stop (21), or rather the locking arm (26), on the one hand, and the complementary stop (7), which crosses the mounting opening (22) in the direction vertically (17) horizontally close to each other and overlap between yes in horizontal direction (24).

It will be explained to complete the description that other mechanical locking elements are still provided for adapt the plug connector (9) to the wall (4) of the body envelope or to the connection terminal (1). For example, it they can constitute the fixing projections (8) openings of fixation into which the free ends of the U-shaped element (15) after displacement of the arm of lock (26) in its opening position, in order to lock With these openings. The vertical slot (27) divides the free end of the U-piece (15) in two retaining arms elastic Other blocking elements are also possible. additional. Since the mechanical adaptation of the connector plug is not relevant to the present invention, it will not be extended additionally this concept.

As soon as the plug connector (9) has reached the introduction position shown in figure 6, the plug connector (9) will be further guided by its projection guide (13) on the guide slide (23) in the direction horizontal (24) in the figures to the left. Through this horizontal displacement, the locking arm (26) of the stop of lock (21), which is in contact with the stop Complementary (7) receives a pressure action. Given the elasticity of the support arm (25) of the locking stop (21), the Locking arm (26) will be driven horizontally (24) by the complementary stop (7), so that the blocking stop (21) will be moved from its locked position to its position of opening in horizontal direction. In the open position shown in figure 9, the locking stop (21) releases the element at U (15) of the contact support (16), so that said support of contacts (16) can be moved completely freely in the vertical direction (17). For terminal contact connections (1) the contact support (16) is pushed down in the vertical direction (17), so that the elements of contact (19) are introduced in the corresponding housings of contact (6). Simultaneously the contact pliers (20) establish contact with the corresponding bushing contacts (12) or plug contacts (11). Bushing contacts (12) or the plug contacts (11) are connected with intermediate of the contact elements (19) with the contacts of the connection terminal (1).

In case it is necessary to withdraw again the plug connector (9) of the connection terminal (1), must be first remove the contact elements (19) out of the contact housings (6) in the vertical direction (17). For this, the contact support (16) must be brought back to its initial position shown in figure 8. It must also be released an additional mechanical lock, not shown in the figures, of the plug connector (10) on the wall (4) of the enclosure. After moving the contact support (16) in its initial position shown in figure 8, the plug connector (9) can be moved again horizontally towards the right to its introduction position. Because of the elasticity of support arm spring (25) the locking arm (26) scales, therefore, recovering its locked position shown in the Figures 5 and 7, so that the contact elements (19) are find completely and therefore with protection against user contact back inside the body envelope (10) of the plug connector.

Therefore, the objective of user protection with respect to contact elements (19) according to the invention.

Reference List

one.

Connection terminal.

2.

Connection place

3.

Button.

Four.

Envelope body wall.

5.

Top face of the connection.

6.

Contact accommodation

7.

Complementary stop.

8.

Fixing boss

9.

Plug connector.

10.

Plug connector body.

eleven.

Plug contact.

12.

Cap contact.

13.

Outgoing guided.

14.

Guidance track

fifteen.

U-shaped element.

16.

Contact support

17.

Vertical direction.

18.

Horizontal segment of the U.

19.

Contact element.

twenty.

Contact clip

twenty-one.

Lock stop.

22

Mounting opening

2. 3.

Guide slide.

24.

Horizontal direction.

25.

Support arm

26.

Locking arm

27.

Vertical groove

Claims (9)

1. Connector for electrical appliances, in particular lighting • with a connection terminal (1) arranged in the body of the device, with a plug connector (9) that it can be connected to the connection terminal (1) and it has one or more plug contacts (11) or socket contacts (12) for external connection to a power cable, and having contact elements (19) formed in the plug connector (9), being connected respectively in connection arrangement to a plug contact (11) or bushing contact (12), and that can be inserted in contact housings (6) of complementary structure of the connection terminal (1), characterized because the contact elements (19) are fixed on a contact support (16) that is supported so that it can move longitudinally in the form of a skate on the body of the plug connector body (9), because the locking stop (21), which reduce at least the capacity of the contact support (16) in move longitudinally, it is formed in the connector plug (9), and because the complementary stop (7) is formed in the area of the connection terminal (1) so that in the mounting position of the plug connector (9) on the body enclosure of the apparatus, the blocking stop (21) is displaced from the complementary stop (7) out of its locked position limiting the capacity of the contact support to move longitudinally towards an open position that enables complete the longitudinal displacement of the contact support (16). 2. Connector according to claim 1, characterized by a U-shaped support as contact support (16), whose U-shaped elements (15) form a guide slide with a guide track (14) made in the housing (10) of the plug-in connector, whose front faces of the arms of the U-shaped element (15) rest against the locking stop (21) in the stop position of said locking stop (21), and whose horizontal element (18) of the U element carries one or more contact elements (19) in the inside of the arch. 3. Connector according to claim 2, characterized by an L-shaped tongue constituting the locking stop (21) whose vertical arm forms a support arm (25) that can be elastically flexed and whose horizontal arm forms an arm of lock (26) which is locked in the locked position below the front faces of the arms of the U-shaped element (15) of the contact support (16). 4. Connector according to any of the preceding claims, characterized because the body of the apparatus is crossed by a mounting opening (22) through which it is it is possible to access from the outside the accommodation (6) of the connection terminal (1) mounted in the opening area of assembly (22), and because the plug-in connector (9) in the mounting opening (22) is arranged so that it can be horizontally shifted out of its position of Introduction in its final mounting position. 5. Connector, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the complementary stop (7) crosses the mounting opening (22) and protrudes from the connection terminal (1) in the direction of the plug connector (9). 6. Connector according to any of the preceding claims, characterized because in the introduction position of the plug connector (9) in the mounting opening (22) the stop lock (21) and the complementary stop (7) are arranged one at side by side horizontally overlapping each other, and because of the displacement horizontal of the plug-in connector (9) towards its mounting position final, the blocking stop (21) under the effect of its support against the rigid complementary stop (7) is carried out of its stop position to its opening position. 7. Connector according to claim 6, characterized in that the horizontal arm of the L that forms a locking arm (26) is supported against the complementary stop (7) and the vertical arm of the L that forms a support arm ( 25) of the locking stop (21) is flexed to release the contact support (16), so that the locking arm (26) is not in contact with the front face of the arm (15) of the contact support ( 16) U-shaped Connector, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact elements (19) are made in the form of flat connectors and the housings (6) are made in the form of flat caps complementary to those. 9. Connector, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by contact clamps (20) made in the contact elements (19) and forming electrical connections respectively on a plug contact (11) or a contact socket (12).