ROTATABLE PLUG SOCKET

Abstract

 A rotatable plug socket (100) comprises a base housing (102) and a receiving part (104) for receiving a plug. The receiving part (104) and the base part (102) are mechanically coupled to permit a rotation of the receiving part (104) relative to the base housing (102). The receiving part (104) has first electrical contacts (110) for establishing electrical contact with corresponding electrical contacts of a plug. Electrical terminals for connecting electrical wiring are provided in the base housing (102), which are electrically connected to two dimensionally rigid conductors (114), likewise arranged in the base housing (102), having sections that are arc shaped. The receiving part (104) has two second electrical contacts (116), each of which being electrically coupled to a respective first electrical contact (110) of the receiving part (104), and each of which being in sliding electrical contact with a respective one of the dimensionally rigid conductors (114).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to plug sockets, in particular to rotatable plug sockets, for example for electrical installations.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Rotatable plug sockets, i.e., plug sockets that can be rotated around a central axis within an enclosure, may be beneficial in case a plug has a cable attached at one side of the plug, which might encumber the routing of the cable or, in case of multiple plug sockets placed near each other, block a neighbouring plug socket. Also, a plug with a cable attached to one side may be difficult to connect in small or narrow spaces.

[0003] Conventional rotatable plug sockets use flexible cables of sufficient length to connect the terminals of the rotatable plug socket while allowing some degree of rotation. Such a conventional rotatable plug socket is known, e.g., from DE 44 33 144 A1. However, providing an exact required length of the cables for permitting the desired degree of rotation is cumbersome during production, and the space needed for giving the cables room to move can make the enclosure bulky. Also, cables tend to suffer from failure when bent too often.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] It is desirable to provide an improved rotatable plug socket that permits a large degree of rotation around a central axis without requiring flexible cables for connecting.

[0005] A rotatable plug socket in accordance with the present invention comprises a base housing and a receiving part, the receiving part being adapted to receive an electrical plug. The base housing and the receiving part are mechanically coupled via a bearing that permits a rotation of the receiving part, relative to the base housing, around a central axis. The bearing may comprise a clip-section that secures the base housing and the receiving part against disassembly. The clip-section may have resilient projections that engage with a recess, preferably a ring-shaped recess. The base housing may be arranged for mounting in an electrical installation, e.g., in a frame for wall-mounting or in a housing accommodating one or a plurality of plug sockets. The central axis may run essentially parallel to an insertion direction of the plug. The receiving part has first electrical contacts, e.g., bushing contacts or pins, for establishing electrical contact with corresponding electrical contacts of a plug that is insertable into the plug socket. Two dimensionally rigid conductors are arranged in the base housing, the dimensionally rigid conductors having at least a section that is arc-shaped, yet not closed into a full circle. Each of the dimensionally rigid conductors may be electrically connected to a corresponding electric terminal arranged in the base housing, the electrical terminals being arranged for connecting electrical wiring, e.g., of an electrical installation, in a conventional manner. The receiving part has two second electrical contacts, each of which being electrically coupled to a corresponding first electrical contact of the receiving part. Each one of the two second electrical contacts of the receiving part is arranged to be in sliding electrical contact with a respective one of the dimensionally rigid conductors over a rotational travel that essentially corresponds to the angle covered by the arc-shaped section of the dimensionally rigid conductor. The sliding electrical contact preferably is made by a resilient element. The open part of the arc-shaped section of the dimensionally rigid conductors preferably is larger than the width of the second electrical contacts that are in sliding electrical contact with the dimensionally rigid conductors.

[0006] The rotatable plug socket provides a large rotational travel, without exposing wires to bending or twisting, which could lead to wires breaking. Not closing the arc-shaped sections to a full circle provides for a rotational position, in which at least one of the second contacts is no longer in electrical sliding contact with the corresponding dimensionally rigid conductor, effectively providing an off-position, i.e., a rotational position of the rotatable plug socket, in which an appliance connected via the plug is no longer powered. This off-position may be indicated by a corresponding marking on the base housing and/or the receiving part, and bringing the receiving part into the off-position may also require a turning force that is higher than the turning force for rotating the receiving part along the remainder of the rotational travel. In one or more embodiments the receiving part is arranged to slide parallel to or along the first axis in a direction facing away from the front side of the receiving part, towards a user, preferably when in the off position. This movement, which may be supported by a spring acting on the underside of the receiving part, may bring the second electrical contacts out of a plane in which the respective dimensionally rigid conductors are arranged, breaking an electrical contact or preventing an electrical contact being made. A ground or PE-contact of the receiving part preferably maintains electrical contact with a corresponding ground or PE-terminal of the base housing. Any rotational movement of the receiving part may be blocked in the slid-out position, and re-establishing contact may require pushing the plug and the receiving part towards the base housing before any rotation of the receiving part is possible.

[0007] In one or more embodiments of the rotatable plug socket each set comprising a first and a second electrical contact of the receiving part is formed from a single piece, e.g., by a bent-formed metal strip or the like.

[0008] In one or more embodiments of the rotatable plug socket the dimensionally rigid conductors are arranged on different levels along the direction of the central axis. The respective sections that are arc-shaped may describe an arc of more than 180 degrees. The open part of the arc-shaped section of the dimensionally rigid conductors may be located on the same or on opposite sides of the central axis.

[0009] This embodiment may safely prevent a phase-reversal along the entire rotational travel of the receiving part.

[0010] In one or more embodiments of the rotatable plug socket the dimensionally rigid conductors are arranged on the same level along the direction of the central axis and on opposite sides thereof. The sections that are arc-shaped describe an arc of less than 180 degrees around the central axis, e.g., less than 140 degrees. In this embodiment the two sets comprising a first and a second electrical contact may be identical.

[0011] In one or more embodiments of the rotatable plug socket stops are provided at both ends of the rotational travel for limiting the rotation of the receiving part. In embodiments, in which the dimensionally rigid conductors are arranged on the same level along the direction of the central axis, the stops can prevent a reversal of the neutral and live phases by preventing the second electrical contacts making electrical contact with the respective other dimensionally rigid conductor.

[0012] In one or more embodiments of the rotatable plug socket, cooperating locking means are provided in the base housing and in the receiving part, which create one or more locking positions arranged along the rotational travel. The locking means may be fixing the rotatable receiving securely part in place, or they may be resilient, i.e., the receiving part may be released from a locked position if the torque or turning force applied thereto exceeds a predetermined value. The locking means may include pins that engage with corresponding holes, recesses or other cooperating structures, such as ramp-shaped structures or the like. The part of the pins that engages with the corresponding structure may be rounded or ball-shaped , preferably in those embodiments in which the receiving part is released upon a torque or turning force exceeding a predetermined value, and the intrusion of the pins into the holes or recesses may be limited, e.g., by a rim having a diameter that is larger than the holes or recesses or by the depth of the holes or recesses. The locking means, in particular those that fix the rotatable receiving part securely in place, may be removably attached to the receiving part and/or the base housing, preferably also re-attachable. A fixed locking, i.e., a locking that does not release the receiving part upon a torque exceeding a predetermined value, may also be obtained by preventing a generally resilient pin from moving out of a hole or recess. Preventing the pin from moving may be achieved by a blocking wall.

[0013] In one or more embodiments of the rotatable plug socket the receiving part comprises at least one ground or PE-contact that is electrically connected to an electrical conductor of the receiving part, which is arranged coaxially with the central axis. A corresponding ground or PE-conductor is arranged in the base housing, which may be electrically connected to a corresponding electric terminal of conventional design, for connecting the PE-conductor to electrical wiring, e.g., of an electrical installation. The electrical conductor of the receiving part that is arranged coaxially with the central axis and the ground or PE-conductor arranged in the base housing are in sliding electrical contact, preferably in resilient sliding electrical contact, e.g., through a bushing contact or the like.

[0014] The rotatable plug socket according to the invention dispenses with flexible cables for providing rotation, thus removing one possible point of failure. The dimensionally rigid conductors may extend over multiple plug sockets arranged in a row, facilitating the assembly of such multiple outlet arrangements. Providing selectively intermediate locking positions or permitting free rotation of the receiving part by removing the locking means gives a large degree of freedom to use the plug socket in a wide variety of applications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] In the following section the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the attached drawings, in which

Fig. 1

shows three perspective and corresponding top views of the rotatable plug socket according to the invention at different angles of rotation,

Fig. 2

shows major elements of a first exemplary rotatable plug socket according to the invention in an exploded view,

Fig. 3

shows a view of the cooperating electrical main elements of the rotatable plug socket according to the invention at different angles of rotation,

Fig. 4

shows a perspective view of the base housing and the receiving part of the first exemplary plug socket in a position prior to assembling the two components to a rotatable plug socket in accordance with the invention,

Fig. 5

shows a sectional view of a rotatable plug socket according to the invention,

Fig. 6

shows exemplary first interlocking features for blocking a rotation of the receiving part with respect to the base housing, as well as an exemplary stop for limiting a rotation of the receiving part in case no interlocking features are provided,

Fig. 7

shows a detail view of the exemplary first interlocking part cooperating with a second interlocking part,

Fig. 8

shows various views of the interlocking features of the first exemplary plug socket blocking a rotation of the receiving part with respect to the base housing at various angles,

Fig. 9

shows a detail of an underside of the rotatable part of the first exemplary plug socket,

Fig. 10

shows the limiting action of the stop on the rotation of the receiving part with respect to the base housing of the first exemplary plug socket,

Fig 11

shows a perspective top view of the base housing and a perspective bottom view of the receiving part of a second exemplary plug socket in accordance with the invention,

Fig. 12

shows a detail of exemplary second interlocking features for blocking a rotation of the receiving part with respect to the base housing,

Fig 13

shows a top view of the assembled base housing and the receiving part of the second exemplary plug socket, wherein the receiving part is rotatable, and

Fig. 14

shows a bottom view of the receiving part of the second exemplary plug socket in accordance with the invention with removed blocking elements.

[0016] In the figures of the drawings like or similar elements are referenced using the same reference signs.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Figure 1 shows three perspective and corresponding top views of a rotatable plug socket 100 according to the invention at different angles of rotation. A receiving part 104 and a base housing 102 are mechanically coupled via a bearing 106 (not visible in the figure) that permits a rotation of the receiving part 104 relative to the base housing 102. A front-facing surface of the receiving part 104 has holes 114 through which first electrical contacts 110 (not visible in the figure) can be accessed. The holes 114 may be covered by a movable cover (not visible in the figure) arranged underneath the front-facing surface of the receiving part 104, for preventing unintended contact with the first electrical contacts 110. Two dimensionally rigid conductors 112 are arranged in the base housing 102, of which only the very ends are visible in the figure. A ground or PE-connector 118 is arranged in or on the receiving part 104, in this example in the form of a pin protruding from the front-facing surface of the receiving part 104. The middle representation of the rotatable plug socket 100 shows the receiving part 104 in a central position, allowing rotation in either direction, i.e., clockwise or counterclockwise, as indicated by the arrows. The leftmost representation of the rotatable plug socket 100 shows the receiving part 104 rotated to the left by approximately 66 degrees, and the rightmost representation of the rotatable plug socket 100 shows the receiving part 104 rotated to the right by approximately 66 degrees, as indicated by the respective arrows.

[0018] Figure 2 shows major elements of a first exemplary rotatable plug socket 100 according to the invention in an exploded view. On the left side of the figure receiving part 104 with the ground or PE-connector 118 and an electrical conductor 120 are shown, the latter also forming a central axis 108 around which the receiving part 104 is rotatable. The ground or PE-connector 118 and the electrical conductor 120 are electrically connected inside the receiving part 104 (not visible in the figure). A part of a second electrical contact 116 is visible at the lower right side of the receiving part 104. To the right of the receiving part 104 two first electrical contacts 110 with respective integral second electrical contacts 116 are shown. The first electrical contacts 110 may comprise a bushing or two opposing resilient and electrically conducting plates for receiving a pin of a plug. The second electrical contacts 116 may be resilient plates of an electrically conducting material. Rather than electrically conducting material it is likewise possible to use electrically non-conducting material on or in which electrical conducting surfaces are provided in contact areas. Next, to the right two dimensionally rigid conductors 112 are shown. Each of the dimensionally rigid conductors 112 has a section that is arc shaped. In an assembled state of the rotatable plug socket 100 the second electrical contacts 116 are in sliding electrical contact with the inner surface of the arc-shaped section of the dimensionally rigid conductors 112. Next, to the right base housing 102 is shown in a top view. Base housing 102 is arranged to receive the dimensionally rigid conductors 112 in the correspondingly shaped areas at the left and right side of the base housing 102. Finally, in the rightmost part of the figure, the electrical conductor 120 is shown, which provides a ground or PE-contact to a corresponding PE-conductor that is located underneath the base housing 102 (not shown in the figure).

[0019] Figure 3 shows a view of the cooperating electrical main elements of the rotatable plug socket 100 according to the invention at different angles of rotation.

[0020] On the left side of the figure the receiving part 104 is rotated to the left by approximately 66 degrees. The second electrical contacts 116 have moved to a respective extreme end of the arc-shaped section of the dimensionally rigid conductor 112. The structures underneath the dimensionally rigid conductors provide electrical terminals 122 for connecting wiring, e.g., of an electrical installation, to the rotatable plug socket. The left one of the dimensionally rigid conductors 112 is in electrical contact with the terminals 122 located at the underside, while the right one of the dimensionally rigid conductors 112 is in electrical contact with the terminals 122 located at the upper side. The electrical connection may be established, e.g., by a cut-clamping structure.

[0021] In the middle of the figure the receiving part 104 has taken a position that is equidistant from both extreme positions, i.e., in the middle thereof, or at 0 degrees of rotation. The second electrical contacts 116 have consequently moved to positions in the middle of the arc-shaped section of the dimensionally rigid conductor 112.

[0022] On the right side of the figure the receiving part 104 is rotated to the right by approximately 66 degrees. The second electrical contacts 116 have moved to a respective extreme end of the arc-shaped section of the dimensionally rigid conductor 112 that is located opposite to the end at which the contacts are located when the receiving part 104 is rotated to the left.

[0023] The positions of the holes 114 correspond to the positions of the first electrical contacts 110, as shown by the arrows drawn in dashed lines, and provide access thereto from the front side of the receiving part 104.

[0024] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the base housing 102 and the receiving part 104 of the first exemplary plug socket in a position prior to assembling the two components to a rotatable plug socket in accordance with the invention. In this view it is easy to be seen how the electrical conductor 120, which also forms the central axis 108 around which the receiving part 104 rotates, will pass through the hole 124 of the base housing 102. One part of the bearing 106 that provides the rotation between the base housing 102 and the receiving part 104 is provided by the collar surrounding the hole 124.

[0025] Figure 5 shows a sectional view of a rotatable plug socket 100 according to the invention. In this view the sliding electrical contact between the second electrical contacts 116 and the dimensionally rigid conductors 112 is visible, as well as the coupling of the base housing 102 and the receiving part 104, of which only a part is visible in the figure, by means of a bearing 106. Bearing 106 may be secured against detachment from the receiving 104 part from the base housing 102 by means of interlocking elements, as shown in the dashed circle. The electrical conductor 120, which also serves as the first axis 108, is in sliding electrical contact with a PE-conductor bushing 126, which is connected with a PE-terminal of the base housing (not shown in the drawing). The dimensionally rigid conductors 112 are arranged on the same level with respect to the central axis 108, as indicated by the horizontal dash-dotted line. The first and second electrical contacts 110 are made from a single piece and are identical. On the right side of the figure a detail of the sliding contact between the second electrical contacts 116 and the dimensionally rigid conductors 112 is shown. It is readily apparent from the figure that the second electrical contacts 116 may provide some resilience, ensuring a secure contact between the second electrical contacts 116 and the respective dimensionally rigid conductors 112.

[0026] Figure 6 shows exemplary first interlocking features 128, for blocking a rotation of the receiving part 104 with respect to the base housing 102, as well as an exemplary stop 132 for limiting a rotation of the receiving part 104 in case no first interlocking features 128 are provided on the base housing 102, or no corresponding second interlocking features 130 are provided on the receiving part 104, which could cooperate with the first interlocking features 128. The first interlocking features 128 may be holes in the base housing 102, here in a recessed part of the base housing 102 in which the receiving part 104 (not shown in the figure) is inserted. In the figure, only some of the holes are referenced by a reference numeral. The stop 132 may comprise a part that protrudes from a rim towards the inside of the recessed part of the base housing 102. The stop 132 may be fixed or removable.

[0027] Figure 7 shows a detail cut-view of the exemplary first interlocking feature 128 cooperating with a second interlocking feature 130. The cut is made in a plane that is parallel to the upper surface of the base housing 102, slightly below the horizontal dash-dotted line shown in figure 5. The second interlocking feature 130 may comprise a pin-like element that engages with one of the holes representing the first interlocking features 128, depending on the rotational angle at which the receiving part 104 is to be fixed. The pin-like element may be an integral part of a structure in which the first electrical contacts 110 are received.

[0028] Figure 8 shows various views of the interlocking features 128, 130 of the first exemplary plug socket blocking a rotation of the receiving part 104 with respect to the base housing 102 at various angles. In the figure only the base housing 102 with the first interlocking features 128 and parts of the receiving part 104 are shown, notably a part of a structure in which the first and second electrical contacts 110, 116 are received, and which structure bears the second interlocking features 130. On the left of the figure the receiving part 104 is locked in a position in which the first electrical contacts 110 are parallel to the upper and the lower edge of the base housing 102. In the middle of the figure the receiving part 104 is locked in a position in which the first electrical contacts 110 are rotated to the right by 45 degrees. On the right of the figure the receiving part 104 is locked in a position in which the first electrical contacts 110 are rotated to the right by 66 degrees. In this position the structure that receives the first electrical contacts 110 also abuts to the stop 132.

[0029] Figure 9 shows a detail of an underside of the rotatable part 104 of the first exemplary plug socket, more specifically a detail of the structure that receives the first and second electrical contacts 110, 116. On the left side of the figure the second interlocking feature 130 is shown, which protrudes from one side of the structure that receives the first and second electrical contacts 110, 116. As is shown in this figure, and also in figure 8, the second interlocking feature 130 is connected to the structure that receives the first and second electrical contacts 110, 116 by a fillet or ridge between its extreme end and the structure, the fillet or ridge having a reduced thickness. The second interlocking feature may be removed by breaking or cutting it away from the structure. On the right side of the figure the structure that receives the first and second electrical contacts 110, 116 is shown with the second interlocking features removed. The position of the removed second interlocking features 130 is indicated by the dashed circles. The second interlocking feature 130 need not be an integral part of the receiving part 104, it is also possible to provide cooperating shapes on the receiving part 104, in which the second interlocking feature 130 may be inserted in a removable fashion, e.g., a dovetail groove or the like.

[0030] Figure 10 shows the limiting action of the stop 132 on the rotation of the receiving part 104 with respect to the base housing 102 of the first exemplary plug socket when the second interlocking feature 130 is removed. It is readily apparent that the structure that receives the first and second electrical contacts 110, 116, which is a part of the receiving part 104, abuts at the stop 132 at the extreme ends of the rotational travel. The first interlocking features, which are not referenced in this figure, have no function.

[0031] Figure 11 shows a perspective top view of the base housing 102 and a perspective bottom view of the receiving part 104 of a second exemplary plug socket 100 in accordance with the invention. In this view the first interlocking features 128 of the base housing are two pins whose inward-facing surfaces are rounded. The inward-facing surfaces of the pins 128 engage with recesses 130 in the receiving part 104. For the sake of clarity, not all recesses in this and the following figures are provided with reference signs. Blocking elements 134 on the receiving part prevent any movement of the pins 128 that is directed outward from the centre of the base part 102, indicated by the arrows, when the pin is located in a recess having such blocking element 134.

[0032] Figure 12 shows a detail of exemplary second interlocking features 128, 130 for blocking a rotation of the receiving part 104 with respect to the base housing 102. From this figure the blocking of any movement of the pin 128 in the direction of the arrow by the blocking element 134 is easy to understand. The pin 128 is pinched between the recess 130 and the blocking element 134. The blocking element 134 is part of the receiving part 104, which is cut away in this view, leaving only the blocking elements 134 visible.

[0033] Figure 13 shows a top view of the assembled base housing 102 and the receiving part 104 of the second exemplary plug socket 100, wherein the receiving part 104 is rotatable. The blocking elements 134 have been removed from the receiving part 104, and the pins 128 can flex outwards in the direction of the respective arrow when the receiving part 104 is rotated, allowing the ridge separating two neighbouring recesses to pass. This effectively permits a stepwise rotation of the receiving part 104. Depending on the design of the pins 128 and the recesses 134 an audible sound will be produced when rotating the receiving part 104. The non-recessed portions 136 of the receiving part 104 may have an outer diameter that exceeds the resilience of the pin 128 and thereby prevent any rotation of the receiving part 104 beyond this point. Alternatively or additionally, the sides of the recesses adjacent to a non-recessed portion 136 may have a different shape that engages with the side of the pin 128 in such a way that it is not flexed outwards when trying to turn the receiving part 104 into the non-recessed portion. The side may, e.g., recede perpendicular to the outer circumference.

[0034] Figure 14 shows a bottom view of the receiving part 104 of the second exemplary plug socket 100 in accordance with the invention with removed blocking elements 134. This figure shows underside of the receiving part 104 of figure 13. As opposed to figure 11, the blocking elements 134 are missing, and the receiving part 104 can be rotated within the limits of the non-recessed portions 136

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST (part of the description)

[0035] 

100

plug socket

102

base housing

104

receiving part

106

bearing

108

central axis

110

first electrical contact

112

dimensionally rigid conductor

114

hole

116

second electrical contact

118

PE-contact

120

electrical conductor

122

terminal

124

hole

126

PE-conductor bushing

128

first interlocking features

130

second interlocking features

132

stop

134

blocking elements

136

non-recessed portion

Claims

1. A rotatable plug socket (100) comprising a base housing (102) and a receiving part (104) adapted to receive an electrical plug, the receiving part (104) and the base housing (102) being mechanically coupled via a bearing (106) that permits a rotation of the receiving part (104), relative to the base housing (102), around a central axis (108), the receiving part (104) having first electrical contacts (110) for establishing electrical contact with corresponding electrical contacts of a plug that is insertable into the plug socket (100), characterised in that, in that two dimensionally rigid conductors (112) having a section that is arc-shaped are arranged in the base housing (102), and in that the receiving part (104) has two second electrical contacts (116), each of which being electrically coupled to a respective first electrical contact (110) of the receiving part (104), and each of which being in sliding electrical contact with a respective one of the dimensionally rigid conductors (112).

2. The rotatable plug socket (100) of claim 1, wherein each set comprising a first (110) and a second (116) electrical contact is formed from a single piece.

3. The rotatable plug socket (100) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the dimensionally rigid conductors (112) are arranged on different levels along the direction of the central axis, and wherein the sections that are arc-shaped describe an arc of more than 180 degrees.

4. The rotatable plug socket (100) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the dimensionally rigid conductors (112) are arranged on the same level along the direction the central axis (108), on opposite sides thereof, and wherein the sections that are arc-shaped describe an arc of less than 180 degrees.

5. The rotatable plug socket (100) of claim 4, wherein each of the two sets comprising a first (110) and a second (116) electrical contact are identical.

6. The rotatable plug socket (100) of claim 4, wherein stops are provided at both ends of the rotational travel for limiting the rotation of the receiving part.

7. The rotatable plug socket (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein cooperating locking means (128, 130) are provided in the base housing (102) and in the receiving part (104) which create one or more intermediate locking positions along the rotational travel.

8. The rotatable plug socket (100) of claim 7, wherein the cooperating locking means (128, 130) are removable from or attachable to, preferably removably attachable to the receiving part (104) and/or the base housing (102).

9. The rotatable plug socket (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving part (104) comprises at least one ground or PE-contact (118) that is electrically connected to an electrical conductor (120) of the receiving part (104), which is arranged coaxially with the central axis (108), wherein a ground or PE conductor is arranged in the base housing (102), and wherein the electrical conductor (120) of the receiving part (104) that is arranged coaxially with the central axis (108) and the ground or PE-conductor arranged in the base housing (102) are in sliding electrical contact.

10. The rotatable plug socket (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving part (104) is rotatable to a predetermined rotational angle at which at least one of the second electrical contacts (116) of the receiving part (104) is no longer in electrical contact with the corresponding dimensionally rigid conductor (112).

11. The rotatable plug socket (100) of claim 10, wherein the predetermined rotational angle is indicated by a corresponding marking on the base housing (102) and/or the receiving part (104).

12. The rotatable plug socket (100) of claim 10 or 11, wherein rotating the receiving part (104) to the predetermined rotational angle requires a turning force that is higher than the turning force for rotating the receiving part (104) along the remainder of the rotational travel.

13. The rotatable plug socket (100) of claim 10, 11 or 12, wherein the receiving part (104) is movable in a direction parallel to the central axis when it is at the predetermined rotational angle, wherein an electrical connection between the dimensionally rigid conductors (112) and the second electrical contacts (116) of the receiving part (104) is broken or prevented when the receiving part (104) is moved in a direction away from the base housing (102).

14. The rotatable plug socket (100) of claim 13, wherein blocking means are provided for preventing rotating of the receiving part (104) when the receiving part (104) is moved in a direction away from the base housing (102).

Drawing