Patent Application
20120228455
This application is based on and hereby claims priority to German Application No. 20 2011 003 620.0 filed on Mar. 7, 2011, and European Application No. 11157193, filed on Mar. 7, 2011, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
Described below is a fastening element for fastening a frame element of an installation facility, for instance of a switch or a room temperature controller, in order to fasten this and thus the installation facility to a mounting plate of an electrical installation, in particular a flush-mounted electrical installation. Also described is a frame element for fastening an installation facility to a mounting plate of an electrical installation and an installation facility.
In conventional electrical installations, the control functions are fixedly connected to the energy distribution. Subsequent changes are very difficult to implement on account of this. Higher-ranking control functions, such as a central switching of all pools of lights in a building can also only be realized with a very high outlay.
On account of this, certain European organizations convened to find a common standard for the applications in building automation. The main aims of this standard are high user-friendliness and greater flexibility.
For this purpose, leading European companies from the electrotechnical and construction industries signed the official rules and regulations of a new organization, the KNX Association. At the start of the 21st century, the specification of KNX was published, shortly afterwards adopted in the European standard EN 50090 and this standard was subsequently accepted as international standard ISO/IEC 14543-3. The KNX standard is an open standard to which in the meantime almost 100 companies have subscribed worldwide.
KNX is a field bus for building automation and separates the control functions and the energy distribution from one another. All devices are connected to one another by way of a bus and can thus exchange data. The function of the individual bus subscribers is determined by their programming, which can be changed and adjusted at any time. Devices from different manufacturers can be used here in a non-restrictive manner with one another in a system, provided they exhibit the corresponding certification by the KNX Association.
In particular, KNX is a field bus, which describes how in an installation sensors and actuators can be connected to one another in a housing, and which determines how sensors and actuators have to communicate with one another.
The KNX controls for instance the lighting and blinds and/or shading facilities, building heating and locking and alarm systems. Remote monitoring and control of a building is also possible by KNX. Control takes place here by way of the user him/herself or by way of a computer equipped with corresponding software. KNX is currently installed above all in new residential and purpose-built buildings, but can however also be installed later during the modernization of old buildings. KNX installations are in the meantime not only found in upmarket residential buildings. KNX networks are already also integrated as standard into buildings even in the case of low-cost prefabricated housing.
Installation facilities, e.g. switches, push-buttons, power sockets, temperature controllers or suchlike, which can be fastened to a mounting plate, also referred to as mounting frame, of an electrical installation, in particular a flush-mounted electrical installation, by a frame element, whereby the space requirement is covered by a corresponding control element of the installation facility, are known on the market in various embodiments.
The installation facilities are usually fastened to mounting plates of the electrical installation by way of frame elements, such that they are either screwed thereto and a housing is then pushed thereover or the installation facilities include plug-in connections, such as for instance snap-fit or snap-on connections which are pushed into the mounting plate through slots. Here the plug-in connections provide for a locking between the installation facility and the mounting plate of the electrical installation. If an installation facility is to be changed or removed, it must be detached from the mounting plate. Since the plug-in connections, such as snap-fit or snap-on hooks, are usually made of plastic, there is however the risk that the plug-in connections break away so that they are no longer useable. In particular, tools are needed both for mounting and also dismounting of the installation facilities on/from the electrical installations.
In order to be able to also fasten modern installation facilities, such as for instance room temperature controllers, dimmers etc. to existing mounting plates, in particular mounting plates from different manufacturers, there is a corresponding need for simple fastening options in order to enable a rapid and simple fastening of frame elements of installation facilities, such as for instance room temperature controllers, in accordance with the KNX standard.
Accordingly, described below is a simple and cost-effective fastening element for a simple fastening of a frame element of an installation facility and thus of an installation facility to a mounting plate of an electrical installation, in particular a flush-mounted electrical installation.
Features and details apply here which are described in conjunction with the fastening element, naturally also in conjunction with the frame element and the installation facility, and vice versa in each instance, so that reference is and/or can always be made alternately with respect to the disclosure relating to the aspects of each.
According to the first aspect, the fastening element is embodied so as to fasten a frame element of an installation facility and thus an installation facility to a mounting plate of an electrical installation, in particular a flush-mounted electrical installation. In particular, the fastening element includes two holding elements which are arranged adjacent to one another in a shared plane and can be deformed and/or bent elastically relative to one another. The two holding elements each includes at least one limb, with the limbs being embodied such that they face one another along an imaginary straight line within the shared plane and includes a segment of minimal spacing from one another along the imaginary straight line and the spacings of the limbs from one another increase in all other segments along the imaginary line starting from the segment of minimal spacing.
A fastening element embodied in such a fashion is embodied in a simple and cost-effective fashion and enables a simple and rapid fastening of a frame element of an installation facility and thus of an installation facility to a mounting plate of an electrical installation, in particular a flush-mounted electrical installation. In particular, a fastening element embodied in such a fashion enables the fastening of a frame element of an installation facility and thus of an installation facility to a mounting plate of an electrical installation, in particular a flush-mounted electrical installation, without the need of a tool. The special embodiment of the two holding elements enables the latter to be easily fastened to a correspondingly embodied mounting plate of an electrical installation. The mounting plates, with which these fastening elements can be used, include at least two slots which are separated from one another by a bar. The fastening element is, in other words the two holding elements are, pushed into two slots on the mounting plate, whereby they are braced apart on account of the bar of the mounting plate. This is enabled because the two holding elements are arranged adjacent to one another in a shared plane and can be elastically deformed relative to one another. Each holding element includes at least one limb. These limbs of the holding elements face one another along an imaginary straight line within the shared plane. Here the limbs of the holding elements along the imaginary straight line include a segment of minimal spacing from one another. This segment of minimal spacing may be provided in the central region of the limb. The spacings of the limbs from one another increase in all other segments along the imaginary line starting from the segment of minimal spacing. In other words, the two holding elements and/or the respective limbs of the holding elements lie closer to one another in a central segment than in the outer segments. The limbs of the holding elements approximately form an X, whereby the holding elements are not fastened to one another. This special embodiment of the fastening element, in particular of the holding elements, ensures that when pushing the holding elements into the corresponding slots of a mounting plate, these are initially braced apart from one another. If the holding elements are pushed so far into the corresponding slots of the mounting plate that the segment of average spacing is at the height of the bar of the mounting plate, the two holding elements are braced apart to a maximum. If the two holding elements are pushed further into the slots of the mounting plate, the two holding elements close together. In other words, after the segment of average spacing of the holding element has passed the bar of the mounting plate, the fastening element, on account of the spring force of the two holding elements, pulls independently in the direction of the mounting plate, namely until the frame element, on which the fastening element is arranged, rests on the mounting plate. After initial contact of the limbs of the two holding elements with the bar of the mounting plate and the bracing-apart of the holding elements associated therewith, these remain permanently in contact with the bar of the mounting plate, on account of the spring pre-load of the holding elements, and clasp the same. This ensures a simple and secure fastening of the fastening element and thus of a frame element of an installation facility, such as a switch, push-button, power socket, temperature controller or suchlike, on the mounting plate of an electrical installation, in particular a flush-mounted electrical installation, such as for instance a bus system.
The limbs of the holding element of a fastening element are advantageously embodied such that a first and a second region is formed therebetween, which taper toward the segment of minimal spacing. As a result the insertion of the bar of a mounting plate of an electrical installation, which is located between two slots, also referred to as mounting slots, of a mounting plate, into the first and second region is simplified. As a result of a first region being formed between the two holding elements, the region tapering toward the segment of minimal spacing, it is ensured that the two holding elements can be easily inserted into the slots of the mounting plate of an electrical installation and/or the two holding elements can be easily pushed onto the bar of the mounting plate of an electrical installation. The first region functions like a funnel when inserting the two holding elements into the slots of the mounting plate of an electrical installation. The second region between the two holding elements, which tapers toward the segment of minimal spacing, provides, on account of the tapering and the elastic deformability of the holding elements relative to one another, that the fastening element can be automatically drawn onto the mounting plate of an electrical installation and is securely held on the mounting plate as a result.
According to a further development, provision can be made with a fastening element for the holding elements to be arranged along the imaginary straight line in a mirror-symmetrical fashion. As a result, the insertion of the limbs of the holding element and/or the holding elements into the mounting slot of the mounting plate can be simplified. In particular, the mirror-symmetrical embodiment of the holding elements can prevent a canting of the fastening element when fastening the same to a mounting plate of an electrical installation.
According to another further development, provision can be made with a fastening element for the regions, in other words the first and second region, to taper linearly toward the segment of minimal spacing between the limbs of the holding elements. As a result, the fastening element is securely guided into its mounting position on the mounting plate of an electrical installation. A simple and secure spreading apart of the holding elements from one another is ensured by the linear course of the regions above and below the segment of minimal spacing. On the other hand, the limbs of the holding elements and thus the holding elements close together particularly effectively on account of the linear course of the second region, as a result of which the drawing-on and then holding of the fastening element to the mounting plate of an electrical installation is ensured.
The limbs and/or holding elements advantageously include an arched curve in the region of the segment of minimal spacing. This ensures the particularly simple attachment and/or sliding of the holding elements of the fastening element on the mounting plate of an electrical installation, in particular on the bar of the mounting plate of an electrical installation.
The first region between the limbs of the holding elements of a fastening element advantageously tapers toward the segment of minimal spacing such that the parts of the limb which form the first region form an insertion region for inserting a bar, which is embodied between two mounting slots of the mounting plate. This ensures that the holding elements of the fastening element can be easily inserted into the slots of the mounting plate. It is only after the holding elements have been pushed a little way into the slots of the mounting plate that the limbs of the holding elements contact the bar of the mounting plate. In other words, the tapering of the first region and/or the ever decreasing spacing of the limbs relative to one another means that the already slightly inserted fastening element is centered by the bar of the mounting plate. As a result, the first region between the limbs of the holding element form an in particular funnel-type insertion region in order to insert the bar of a mounting plate.
In general terms, the first region between the two holding elements of the fastening element is the region which, when inserting the fastening element, in particular the two holding elements, into the slots of the mounting plate, initially faces this.
The parts of the limbs forming the first region are advantageously arranged at an angle α of less than 50° relative to one another. As a result, the insertion of the bar of a holding iron and/or the attachment of the two holding elements of the fastening element onto the bar of a mounting plate can be embodied in a particularly simple fashion.
The second region between the limbs advantageously tapers toward the segment of minimal spacing such that the parts of the limb forming the second region form an operating area for holding a/the bar which is embodied between two mounting slots of the mounting plate. As a result, the bar is held particularly effectively. The term operating area refers to the spreading-apart of the two holding elements upon attachment onto the bar of the mounting plate and the elastic deformability of the two holding elements, the fastening element is drawn onto the mounting plate of the electrical installation if the bar of the mounting plate is found on parts of the limb of the two holding elements which form the second region. In other words, the tapering of the second region between the limbs of the holding element toward the segment of minimal spacing enables an active drawing-on of the fastening element and thus of a frame element of an installation facility on the mounting plate of an electrical installation, such as a flush-mounted bus system.
The parts of the limbs of the holding elements of a fastening element which form the second region advantageously form an angle of at least 20° relative to one another in the case of a maximum elastic deformation of the holding elements from one another, on account of the feeding-through of the bar of the mounting plate through the segment of minimal spacing. This provides for pressing-in and/or drawing-on of the bar into the operating area of the fastening element and/or a drawing-on of the fastening element onto the mounting plate of an electrical installation.
According to a further development, provision can be made with a fastening element for the limb in the segment of minimal spacing to form a gap therebetween if the holding elements are relaxed, in other wards are not elastically deformed. This enables a particularly simple attachment of the fastening element onto a mounting plate of an electrical installation. Alternatively, the limbs of the holding element can touch in the segment of minimal spacing.
The limbs of the holding elements of a fastening element advantageously include inner limbs and outer limbs which are connected to one another, whereby the inner limbs of the two holding elements face one another. As a result, a particularly good elastic deformability and stability of the two holding elements is produced.
According to another development, provision can be made with a fastening element for the inner and outer limbs of each holding element in the region of its transition to form an angle of 20° to 60°, in particular of 40° to 50°, therebetween. As a result, the limbs assume a type of wedge profile so that the insertion into the mounting slots is configured particularly easily.
The outer limbs of each holding element are advantageously embodied such that they include an arched free end and an angle greater than 90° is formed in the region of the bend. As a result, the outer limbs of the holding element are inclined relative to one another as a result of which the pre-load on one another is increased.
According to a further development, provision can be made with a fastening element for the inner and outer limbs of each holding element to be embodied relative to one another such that the holding elements in a lateral view each includes an essentially D-shaped contour. Holding elements embodied as such have a high stability.
The inner limbs of each holding element of a fastening element are advantageously arched at their ends facing away from the respective outer limbs in a direction at right angles to the plane of the holding elements by 180° such that they form an arched element which connects the two inner limbs to one another. This provides for a reinforcement of the fastening element so that the holding force of the frame element on the mounting plate is increased. Furthermore, the fastening element can be easily fastened to a frame element of an installation facility, such as a switch, a push-button, a power socket, a temperature controller or such.
The minimal inside radius of the arched element of a fastening element advantageously corresponds to three times the diameter of the limbs of the holding element of the fastening element. As a result, a particularly good reinforcement is achieved. In particular, it is advantageous if the minimal inside radius of the arched element corresponds at least to three times the diameter of the limbs of the holding elements of the fastening element, in particular to the wire gauge of the limb of the holding element of the fastening element. This provides an optimal value between the necessary installation space and a voltage distribution. The fastening element is advantageously embodied from a metal wire.
According to a further development, provision can be made with a fastening element for the fastening element to be embodied in one piece, in particular monolithically. As a result, the number of components for mounting a frame element on a mounting plate of an electrical installation device is minimal. Furthermore, the manufacture of the fastening element is simplified and cost-effective. A fastening element of this type likewise ensures high rigidity and stability of the holding elements and of the further components of the fastening element.
A fastening element advantageously includes fastening elements for the force-fit and/or bonded fastening on the frame element. The fastening can take place by screw connections. Furthermore, the fastening element can be fastened to the frame by suitable force and/or bonded connections such as rivets, welding, adhesives for instance.
The fastening element can advantageously be connected to the frame element of an installation facility by hot stamping. As a result, a particularly simple and stable connection is achieved between the fastening element and the frame element of an installation facility.
According to the second aspect, a frame element of an installation facility, in particular a switch, a push-button or a room temperature controller, includes at least one fastening element attached thereto, which is embodied in accordance with the first aspect. A frame element with at least one fastening element embodied according to the first aspect enables a simple fastening of the frame element and thus of an installation facility on a mounting plate of an electrical installation, in particular a flush-mounted electrical installation.
The frame element may be embodied to receive an installation facility, which can be electrically connected to the electrical installation when the frame element is fastened to the mounting plate of an electrical installation.
According to a further development, provision can be made with the frame element for an intermediate element, in particular an intermediate plate, to be arranged on the frame element, the intermediate plate being used as a spacing element between the frame element and the electrical installation. The frame element and thus the installation facility can herewith be attached at an optimal spacing from the electrical installation or the wall in which the electrical installation is arranged.
According to the third aspect, an installation facility includes a frame element for fastening the installation facility to a mounting plate of an electrical installation, whereby the frame element is embodied according to the second aspect.
The installation facility may be for instance a switch, a push-button, a power socket, a temperature controller or suchlike, which can be fastened to a mounting plate of an electrical installation, in particular a flush-mounted electrical installation, by the frame element. An installation facility with a frame element of this type, which includes at least one fastening element embodied in accordance with the first aspect, enables a simple fastening of the installation facility to a mounting plate of an electrical installation, in particular a flush-mounted electrical installation.
According to a further development, provision can be made with the installation facility for the frame element to be an integral part of the installation facility. This means that the frame element may be part of the housing of the installation facility or forms the housing of the installation facility. The frame element may be monolithically manufactured with the housing of the installation facility.
The frame element is advantageously embodied to receive a functional element, which can be electrically connected to the electrical installation when the frame element is fastened to the mounting plate of an electrical installation.
These and other aspects and advantages will become more apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:
Elements with the same function and mode of operation are provided with the same reference characters in
In particular, the first region 20 is embodied between the two holding elements 12a, 12b as an insertion region 20, which is embodied to insert a bar and/or for attachment to a bar which is disposed between two mounting slots of a subsequently described mounting plate, of a so-called mounting frame. The inner limbs Xa1, Xb1 form an angle α of less than 50° in the insertion region 20. The second region 22 between the two inner limbs Xa1, Xb1 is embodied as an operating area 22 which is embodied to hold the bar of the mounting plate. The inner limbs Xa1, Xb1 form an angle β of greater than 20° relative to one another, such as 45° in the operating area 22. The outer limbs Xa2, Xb2 are embodied such that they include an arched, free end, and an angle γ of greater than 95°, such as 100°, is formed in the region of the bend. This provides for an additional reinforcement and stability of the fastening element 10. The minimal inner radius of the arched element 24 amounts to at least three times the wire gauge of the metal wire. This represents an optimal value for the compromise between required installation space for inserting the fastening element 10 and a voltage distribution when mounting frame parts.
As shown in
The mounting plate 32 can be fastened on a corresponding point of a wall of a building, whereby the electrical installation 50 to be connected is found in a wall socket, in a conventional manner attached by screws. Since the mounting of a mounting plate 32 is sufficiently known per se, a description of the mounting of the same on the wall, the wall socket and/or the electrical installation 50 is omitted. For simplification, the mounting plate 32 is shown in the non mounted state in the subsequent
As shown in
In order to mount the installation facility 30, the frame element 28 of the installation facility 30 is moved forward with the rear 26 onto the mounting plate 32 such that a limb Xa, Xb is moved and/or pushed into a corresponding slot 34 of the mounting plate 32 in each instance. The mounting direction is specified in
In other words, depending on the type of frame element, an intermediate element in the form of a design frame can be mounted between the frame element and the mounting plate. This can involve the design frame being pressed from the rear of the frame element against the mounting plate or against the wall. With a corresponding overlap between the housing of the frame element and the design frame, the design frame can slots, through which the holding elements of the at least one fastening element are pushed. Since different manufacturers use intermediate elements and/or design frames with different heights, height differences of the frame elements, i.e. differences of up to 5 mm in a dimension in the mounting direction can be realized with the fastening element. The holding elements furthermore fulfill their holding function even with slightly offset and/or skew attachment. Fastening options other than hot stamping for fastening a frame element are naturally also possible, such as for instance soldering, screwing, adhesion or suchlike. The fastening element may include fastening elements for the force-fit and/or bonded fastening to the frame element. The limbs of the holding elements may also touch in the segment of minimal spacing. The inner limbs do not need to taper linearly toward the segment of minimal spacing, but can instead have a convex form.
A description has been provided with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof and examples, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the claims which may include the phrase “at least one of A, B and C” as an alternative expression that means one or more of A, B and C may be used, contrary to the holding in Superguide v. DIRECTV, 358 F3d 870, 69 USPQ2d 1865 (Fed. Cir. 2004).
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 202011003620.0 | Mar 2011 | DE | national |
| 11157193 | Mar 2011 | EP | regional |
