CN108011266B

CN108011266B - Travel conversion plug capable of being safely transported

Info

Publication number: CN108011266B
Application number: CN201710181355.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 菲利普·埃德肖
Original assignee: Travel Blue Ltd
Current assignee: Travel Blue Ltd
Priority date: 2016-11-01
Filing date: 2017-03-24
Publication date: 2020-07-17
Anticipated expiration: 2037-03-24
Also published as: EP3316423A1; CN207217953U; CN108011266A; EP3535818B1; WO2018083131A1; EP3535818A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a travel switch plug having a housing, a socket (16) and at least a first plug (38, 84) of a first standard, wherein the first plug is assigned a drive element (22, 24) which is designed to move the plug between a standby position, in which the plug is disposed substantially within the housing, and an active position, in which the plug can be disposed outside the housing, and the plug is assigned a latching element (106A), by means of which the plug can be latched in the standby position and can assume an open position and a closed position, wherein the latching element latches the plug in the standby position when the latching element is in its closed position, and the latching element can be transferred from the open position into the closed position by moving the first plug.

Description

Travel conversion plug capable of being safely transported

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a travel adaptor (hereinafter also referred to simply as "travel adaptor"). With this converter, a power plug of a certain (domestic) standard can be plugged into a power socket of a travel destination. For this purpose, the travel adaptor plug requires a first standard socket and another standard power plug. The present application relates more particularly to a travel conversion plug that can be inserted into at least first and second standard electrical outlets. For this purpose, a power plug of a first standard and a power plug of a second standard can be selected for use in the travel conversion plug.

Background

Travel converter plugs or travel converters of this type are increasingly being used during global travel and increased commerce. Thus, there is a need for a compact, easily transportable travel conversion plug that is adaptable to several different standard power outlets.

Chinese patent application CN 101872911 a discloses a travel converter with a substantially circular housing. The power plug is arranged in the shell and can be removed out of the shell. In this manner, at least three different types of power plugs may be used. The desired power plug may be selected upon rotation of the upper housing portion relative to the lower housing portion. The upper housing portion has an outwardly projecting drive slide. The drive slide may be caused to engage the respective power plug element. To this end, the slider is rotated to a position above the power plug, which is removed from below from the housing.

The travel conversion plug has many uses. However, it is still desirable to provide a travel converter that is easier to operate. In particular, it appears to be advantageous if different control elements are assigned to different plugs and the plugs can be transferred into the use position by operating the assigned control elements. Also, returning the plug to a clearly recognizable and secure standby position should be easy to achieve.

Another travel switch is known from german patent DE 102011014920B 4, which is referred to as a "universal switch plug". In this travel converter, multiple sets of pins are provided in the outer housing. Each group of pins is connected with a control element, and each group of pins can be moved from the outside by the control elements. For this purpose, the control element is guided on the housing by a sliding groove. The control element is also guided using a baffle plate disposed within the outer housing. The barrier has a guide track and the control element can pass through a recess therein. The guide rail provides an upper end position and a lower end position. The flap is elastically prestressed so that the control element can be held firmly in the upper or lower end position. The control element and the corresponding group pins can be released from the end position and moved upwards or downwards, where in addition to the activation of the control element also an externally arranged selection lever is activated. Pressing the selector lever moves the shutter against the spring force. In this way, the pins can be moved out of their upper or lower end positions by using the control elements.

In this embodiment, the external control element serves both to move the groups of pins out of the first end position (standby position) into the second end position (use position) and to lock the groups of pins in these positions. One disadvantage with this is that the selector lever must also be in an operating state during the movement of the set of pins using the control element. This prevents comfortable one-handed operation. The control element also takes up a lot of space on the plug surface, so that a design-guided configuration cannot be freely made and a compact construction cannot be achieved.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved travel conversion plug which avoids the deficiencies of the prior art. The travel converter should be economical and reliable to manufacture, easy to transport and operate, and electrically very safe.

The travel conversion plug of the present invention has a housing that can have various shapes. For example, often blocks are practical for transportation. However, the design of the travel conversion plug according to the invention (mechanics) is largely free to choose the shape of the housing. It is advantageous when the housing has at least one plane surface, but the inventive structure can also be adapted to curved housing surfaces. The housing may be designed in one piece or in several pieces. It has proven useful to construct the housing in two parts, in particular a lower housing part and an upper housing part. Which are connected to each other in a detachable manner, for example using mechanical means, it is useful to use screw connections.

The housing should have at least one receptacle. The socket is operatively disposed on the housing. The socket may have different shapes depending on the type of power plug (hereinafter simply "plug") to be inserted thereon. For example, if a Schuko plug is to be inserted into the socket, the socket has a substantially cylindrical recess, and also has a female connector (male connector) for receiving a contact pin (contact pin) of the Schuko plug. For other types of plugs, it is not necessary to have a recess or groove. It is useful to have a flat upper housing face on which a plurality of female connectors (female contacts) can be provided. Typically, at least two female connectors should be provided, which form a pair of female connectors for receiving a standard plug. In order to be able to plug in a plurality of different standards, it is useful to provide a plurality of pairs of female connectors. If the plug also has a ground conductor and the socket is intended to provide an opportunity for grounding, it is also generally necessary to provide a third female or contact for each plug to be inserted.

The travel conversion plug should also have at least one plug of a first standard and a second plug of a second standard. (these plugs are also sometimes referred to as "plug-in pin sets"). The plug of the first standard may be, for example, an EU european plug, and the plug of the second standard may be an US american plug. These plugs may have two prongs, i.e., they are not grounded; alternatively, they may have three pins to provide a ground pin. Thus, the travel conversion plug of the present invention is suitable for use in more than one country. Usefully, and generally speaking, it is necessary to use the first plug and second plug in the alternative.

The travel conversion plug may also include three or more plugs. Travel conversion plugs with three or four plugs have proven to be very useful. At least one of the plugs (but typically all of the plugs) is movable from a standby position (in which the plugs are substantially disposed within the housing) to a use position. In the use position, the plug is disposed, in use, completely or at least partially outside the housing. Frequently, the plug may be moved fully back into the housing when the plug is returned to the standby position. It is useful that the plug can be moved back into the housing far enough that it does not interfere with other plugs.

The first plug is connected to a drive element for moving the first plug from a standby position into an active position. The second plug is also connected to a drive element for moving the second plug from the standby position into the use position. The travel conversion plug therefore has at least a first drive element and a second drive element. The drive elements can be designed effectively in a button-like manner so that they can be easily moved with one finger. In order to accommodate the drive element, a sliding groove can be provided on the housing. The runners can also be connected to each other to form a guide rail for the drive element. Generally, it is useful to provide one runner for each drive element and to arrange the runners parallel to each other.

A slide selector can be provided on the travel conversion plug that can be moved to at least a first position and a second position. The sliding selector alternatively releases the first plug in its first position and the second plug in its second position, whereby the plugs can be moved into the use position. For this purpose, the slide selector has latching elements, for example cams (cam) can be used as latching elements, which engage with displacement rails (displacement track). However, within the scope of the present invention, it is not necessary to provide such a sliding selector. The sliding selector is optional and may be selected for use in addition to the means described below.

Since the travel switch plugs should always be constructed to be compact, the drive elements are usually very close to one another. The drive element is often designed as a slider, and its function and advantages will be described below in relation to driving the slider. Therefore, it is easy to happen that, for example, fingers are not precisely placed on the drive sliders and the adjacent drive sliders are inadvertently moved at the same time. However, since the invention allows only one plug to be driven, and thus (usually) also only one drive slide, an inadvertently touched drive slide does not move (or it does not at least move the associated plug). This will make the operation of the travel conversion plug more fault tolerant.

As mentioned, it is useful when the travel conversion plug has a chute or similar recess in the housing. The drive slide can run in these slide grooves. A slide slot may also be provided for the slide selector. These runners enable the slide to move while being guided. It therefore represents an advantageous and cost-effective mechanical solution. Since a plurality of drive sliders is usually provided on the travel switch pin, this is particularly advantageous if a plurality of drive sliders can be guided in the guide channel in a simple manner. In the context of the present invention, the drive slide must only cause movement of the plug, typically upward and downward movement. The drive slide (in contrast to other conventional converters) does not necessarily lock the plug in the position of use, nor does it necessarily ensure that only one plug can be selected at any time. Since the drive slide in the context of the invention is only allowed to perform one function, it can be guided easily and reliably in the slide groove. For example, if the drive slide is spring loaded, it becomes less useful to guide it in the chute, usually because the slide then tends to tilt, running "hook-like", and of course with greater resistance.

According to the invention, a retaining element (arresting element) is associated with the first plug. By means of this stop element, the plug can be blocked in the standby position. Due to this blocking effect, the free displaceability of the plug is thereby reduced, i.e. the resistance to displacement into the use position in the standby position is greater than in the intermediate position of the drive element (position between the standby position and the use position).

The stop element can assume an open position and a closed position, wherein the stop element can be transferred from the open position into the closed position by a movement of the first plug.

The stop element can be moved from the open position into the closed position by a movement of the first plug. In this case, the first plug is usually moved upward, i.e. into its standby position. No additional driving of a screw (bolt) or element for moving the stop element into the closed position is necessary. It can also be provided that the stop element can be moved from the closed position into the open position by a movement of the first plug. An additional drive of the screw or the element for moving the stop element into the open position is likewise not necessary. The element is thus adapted to its function as a stop element, but this transfer must be carried out at least against a resistance and, in some cases, also be prevented, for example, when the other plug is already in the position of use. Such blocking may be provided by a sliding selector or otherwise (e.g., by a locking mechanism).

In any case, the stop element ensures that the plug is blocked in the standby position. When the travel conversion plug has only one first plug, a mechanism is provided that does not cooperate with other plugs. For example, a separate unlocking lever may be provided. In some embodiments, an element may also be provided for resiliently biasing the stop element into the closed position.

In any case, the stop element can ensure a clearly defined standby position. In known travel converters without such a stop element, the drive element (e.g. the sliding actuator) can usually be moved a short distance in the direction of the use position, which can also usually occur when a mechanism is provided which prevents both plugs from being moved simultaneously into the use position. These plugs therefore have the disadvantage that the standby position is not presented in an unambiguous manner. For example, a user can snap two plugs halfway to the use position by simultaneous actuation of two actuation elements. Furthermore, in the case of travel switching plugs, which are sensitive objects in terms of their electrical safety, even if only a partial movement of the drive element from the standby position (without the plug being completely moved into the use position) is possible, it is not reassuring for the user. The stop element thus provides a clearly defined standby position. The closed position of the latching element corresponds here to the standby position of the plug. When the plug is moved into its use position, the stop element is then shifted into its open position, by contrast.

It is advantageous if the stop element is configured as a completely separate component from the drive element. The stop element can be configured, for example, as a displaceable lever (displaceable lever). Here, it is advisable to configure a tiltable lever (tiltable lever), in particular a lever (lever) which is tilted about a single rotational axis, preferably a rotational axis which is transverse to the direction of movement of the drive element. The lever can be elastically prestressed in the direction of the lever closed position; this may alternatively or additionally also be provided to another closing mechanism.

Such a travel conversion plug is advantageous: each of the plugs thereof is assigned a support element and the stop element acts on the support element, i.e. blocks it as the case may be and thereby blocks the plug in the standby position. The support element can be configured, for example, as a support arm which carries the contact pins of the plug on the one hand and which establishes a connection with the drive element on the other hand. It is advantageous in particular if the support element has a recess (depression) and the stop element has a projection, and this projection of the stop element can engage in the recess to hold the plug in a stop position (arresting). Such a projection can be formed on the rod end in an extremely simple and advantageous manner.

Such travel conversion plugs are useful: it is also provided with a second plug of a second standard, which is also assigned an actuating element designed to move the second plug between a standby position, in which the second plug is substantially arranged in the housing, and a use position, in which the second plug is operatively arranged outside the housing. The second plug is assigned a second stop element by means of which the second plug can be blocked in the standby position and can assume an open position and a closed position.

For travel conversion plugs of this type, the movement paths of the first and second drive elements define a movement plane. The stop element is advantageously arranged on the rear side of this plane. This allows an extremely compact design of the travel converter and prevents the structures (mechanics) of the drive element from interfering with the structures of the stop element. Furthermore, it is considered more aesthetically pleasing when the structure of the stop element is not visible through the through-passage for the drive element (typically the chute).

It is advantageous when the stop element rotates about a pivot point behind the displacement shaft. For example, a rotary shaft may be provided there to rotate the toggle lever (toggle lever). The position "behind" the plane of movement is understood to mean a position pointing in the direction of the interior of the housing. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the stop element is arranged above the drive element and thus essentially above the sliding groove (or the housing opening, respectively).

In the case of a travel switching plug with two plugs, it is advantageous if the latching element of the second plug can be transferred from the open position into the closed position by a movement of the first plug. Such transfer may also include securing only in the closed position. The latching element has the function of precisely defining the safety-relevant standby position of the plug, but also of ensuring that the second plug is influenced by the position of the first plug. Thus, the stop element can have the function of, for example, selecting a plug, the rotation of the plug housing, or the function that the sliding selector can have in this context.

It is advantageous when the at least one stop element (or possibly all stop elements) is connected to a control rod which allows or prevents the at least one stop element (or possibly all stop elements) to be moved into the open position. The lever or finger may be constructed as a separate element and may be connected to the stop element or may be integrally formed with the stop element. For example, a U-shaped lever (lever) has proven useful, one lever end of which has an element or in particular a projection which can cooperate with a plug or in particular a support element of a plug. The other end of the U-shaped bar may then serve as a control lever or finger.

It is advantageous when the control rod is engaged in a catch unit which fixes the at least one catch element in the closed position. Advantageously, the catch element can have at least one catch slide which can be moved substantially parallel to the rotational axis of the at least one latching element. It is advantageous if the at least one retaining slider, preferably all retaining sliders, is arranged on a displacement rail. It is also advantageous when the at least one retaining slider is elastically prestressed towards one end of the displacement rail. All these measures with respect to the retaining unit result in an effective fit between the individual plugs. In this case, the position information (use position or locking position) is transmitted (forwarded) to the control lever and thus to the locking element by the position of the locking element and the control lever and then by the position of the catch slide.

It is extremely advantageous to provide the at least one retaining slider (or possibly all retaining sliders) above the chute. It is also advantageous to provide the at least one retaining slider (or possibly all retaining sliders) behind the sliding groove. This results in an advantageous compact design and an optimized operating principle with an attractive appearance, as mentioned above for the position of the stop element.

It is also advantageous when at least one first retaining slide of a first length and one second retaining slide of a second length are provided. Here, the second length may be equal to the first length, but the second length may be greater than the first length. The larger second length makes it possible to vary the distance between the individual plugs, even with a suitable length of the retaining slider, to select the distance between the individual plugs relatively freely, while still providing a reliable operation of the retaining unit.

The plug can be moved into the use position with the aid of the drive element. For safe use of the travel conversion plug, it is advantageous that the plug remains in the use position even when it is plugged into an electrical outlet against pressure. In the system of the invention, a stop or locking element (arresting or locking element) can be provided to ensure that the plugs remain in the use position and prevent them from doing so. The locking element can block at least one plug of the travel conversion plug; the locking element may also effectively block a plurality or all of the plugs in the use position.

It is useful when the locking element is connected to a release button which is arranged outside the housing and which is actuated in a release direction. Such a release button allows an intuitive and safe release of the locking element when moving a plug from the use position back to the standby position. Such designs are safer and more reliable than those that rely on some movement of the drive slide, or slide selector, or even the plug itself, to release the plug. So that the release button is not inadvertently actuated, it may also be provided with an alarm indicator or be designed with a warning color, for example red. The release button may be part of the housing, for example, when the part of the housing can be pressed (depressed) due to a suitable design. In general, it is useful to provide a recess in the housing and to provide the release button in this recess as a separate part from the housing. Usefully, the release button may be disposed opposite the slide selector and/or the drive slider.

It is useful to elastically prestress the locking element (if provided) against the release direction. The elastic prestressing of the locking element makes it possible to reliably snap into the locked state as soon as the plug is brought into the use position. It is also advantageous mechanically when the spring acts exactly against the release direction.

An effective embodiment of the (optional) locking element is that the locking element has at least one locking leg, and that the locking leg has a sliding surface and a locking projection. On which sliding surface the element connected to a moved plug can slide. The element can then be snapped over the locking projection to lock the plug connected to the element.

Such travel conversion plugs are useful: at least one of the plugs has a sliding projection or is mechanically firmly connected to such a sliding projection, and the sliding projection runs on the sliding surface and can assume a locked state on the locking projection, if provided.

Such travel conversion plugs are also useful: the locking mechanism has a plurality of locking legs, for example 2, 3 or 4 locking legs. The number of locking legs is exactly the same as the number of plugs. It is also useful and sufficient when the number of locking legs is less than the number of plugs.

In the latter case in particular, it is useful when a sliding projection is connected to each of the at least two plugs, both sliding projections running on the same locking leg of the locking element. Since the two sliding projections run on the same locking leg, this means that the two sliding projections run on the same sliding surface and on the same locking projection (on which the two sliding projections can assume the locked state). Since the two plugs on the travel conversion plug are not moved simultaneously into the use position, the sliding projection can alternatively assume this locked state on the locking projection. However, if two sliding projections, for example two sliding projections of adjacent plugs, share one locking leg of suitable dimensions, the number of locking legs can be reduced, whereby the travel conversion plug can be constructed more compactly.

Other features and advantages of the present invention can be obtained from the following drawings and their associated description. The features of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings and their associated description. However, these features may also be included in other combinations of the inventive subject matter. Thus, each feature disclosed is also to be understood as being disclosed in technically reasonable combinations with other features. The partial illustrations are somewhat simplified and schematic.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a travel conversion plug in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view from a similar perspective of the travel conversion plug of the exemplary embodiment with the US American style plug moved to the use position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the travel conversion plug of FIG. 2 with the bottom portion visible;

FIG. 4 is a corresponding perspective view of the travel conversion plug of FIG. 3, with the Schuko plug moved to the use position;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of selected cooperating components of the travel conversion plug;

FIG. 6 is a similar perspective view of selected cooperating components;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of selected cooperating components of another embodiment of a locking mechanism;

fig. 8 shows the assembly of fig. 7 from another perspective.

Description of reference numerals:

10-travel converter/travel converter plug;

12-an upper housing part; 14-lower housing part

16-a socket; 18-a female connector;

18A-UK English female connector pairs; 18B-AUS Australian female connector pair;

18C-US american female connector pairs; a female connector of an 18D-UK British ground pin;

18E-US american style ground pins;

20-release button; 22-a first drive slide;

24-a second drive slide; 26-a third drive slide;

28-US american style plug;

30-conductive contact pins (US american style plugs); 32-ground pins (US american style plugs);

34-plug body (Schuko plug); 36-opening;

36A-opening of the conductive contact foot (Schuko); 36B-opening of conductive contact pins (Schuko);

36C-opening of conductive contact pin (US); 36D-opening of conductive contact pin (US);

36E-opening of another ground contact;

38-Schuko plug; 40-Schuko plug body;

42-conductive contact pins of Schuko plugs; 44-ground contact pin of Schuko plug;

46-fuse compartment (fuse component) 48-locking mechanism;

50-support bar US; 52-openings for ground pins;

54-strut AU; 56-strut ends AU;

58-a guide groove;

90-a locking mechanism; 92-a moving track;

94-a first end member; 96-a second end member;

98-a coil spring; 100-blocking and holding slide block;

102-a cheek plate; 104-inclined plane;

106-rocker; 108-control fingers;

110-snap projection; 112-snap-male joint;

114-reverse convex; 116-a pressure surface;

118-strut AU; 120-conductive contact pin AU;

122-ground contact pin AU.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the travel conversion insert 10 of the present invention shown in a standby position but not in a use position. Instead, all plugs are in the standby position, i.e. all located within the housing.

The most basic components of the travel conversion plug 10 will first be described. The travel conversion plug has a housing made up of an upper housing portion 12 and a lower housing portion 14. The upper housing portion 12 and the lower housing portion 14 together form a main plug housing. The socket 16 is located on top of the travel conversion plug so that it is located in the region of the upper housing portion 12. More specifically, these are a female terminal pair 18A for inserting a conductive UK english contact pin (contact pins), a female terminal pair 18B for inserting a conductive AU australian contact pin, a female terminal pair 18C for inserting a conductive US american contact pin, a connector 18D for inserting a UK english ground pin, and a terminal 18E for inserting a US american ground pin or AU australian ground pin.

A release button 20 is also provided on the side of the housing. The release button is used for locking and releasing the drive element. The front side surface of the shell is provided with a first driving slide block 22, a second driving slide block 24 and a third driving slide block 26, the US American contact pin can slide out by the first driving slide block 22, the AU Australian contact pin can slide out by the second driving slide block, and the Schuko plug can slide out by the third driving slide block.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the travel conversion plug of the present invention in this exemplary embodiment, with the drive slide 22 moved to its lower position. Accordingly, the contact pins of the US american-style plug 28 protrude out of the housing. The US american style plug 28 includes two conductive contact pins (

pins

30A and 30B) and a ground pin 32. In the position shown in the figure, the travel plug can be inserted into an electrical outlet according to the US standard. This standard does not require the use of a plug body. The housing bottom of the travel conversion plug 10 then lies flush on the plane of the plug according to the US standard.

The same travel plug is shown from a different perspective in fig. 3. Here, it can be clearly seen that the bottom 34 is a plane. However, a plurality of openings 36 and elements are provided on this bottom.

Openings

36A and 36B are provided for conductive Schuko contact pins.

Openings

36C and 36D are provided for conductive AU contact pins. Openings 38 are provided for additional ground pins. The opening 38 is provided on the plug body 40 of the Schuko plug together with the

openings

36A and 36B. In addition to this plug body, a securing insert is provided.

Fig. 4 shows the travel conversion plug according to the invention from the same perspective, wherein the Schuko plug has been moved into the position of use. Accordingly, the third drive slide 26 has moved to its lower position. The plug body 40 of the Schuko plug protrudes out of the bottom 34 of the housing. The conductive contact pins 42A and 42B of the Schuko plug, in turn, extend from the Schuko plug. According to this standard, grounding antennae 44 are provided on the sides of the plug body.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of selected cooperating components of the travel plug 10. With the upper housing portion removed, the interior of the plug can be seen, i.e. generally those components housed by the lower housing portion 14 can be seen. It should be noted that not all components necessary for the plug function are shown in the figures. Chosen for clarity.

The plug body 40 of the Schuko plug can be seen.

Openings

36A and 36B are provided in the plug body for the conductive contacts of the Schuko plug. Openings 36E provided for the ground contact pins can also be seen. Additional openings can also be seen in this figure-openings 56 for the ground pins of AU australian plugs.

The conductive contact pins 30A and 30B of the US american style plug are also shown in a standby position, i.e., retracted into the housing. Accordingly, the first drive slide 22 is in the upper position. The drive slide 22 may be held in this position by a locking mechanism 48.

The slider 22 is driven to move the support rod 50. The contact pins 30A and 30B are fixed to the support bar 50. When the first driving slider 22 is moved in the direction of the bottom of the housing, the support bar 50 is correspondingly moved downward. In so doing, the contact pins 30A and 30B are guided in the plug body 40 of the Schuko plug. The Schuko plug thus provides guidance for another standard contact pin.

Fig. 6 is a similar perspective view of similarly selected cooperating components. As a key difference from fig. 5, the support bar 52 for AU australian plugs can also be seen here. The support bar 52 is connected to the drive slide 24. The support bar 52 has three bar ends, bar ends 54A, 54B and 54C, which merge into the area 54. The

posts

54A and 54B support the current-reducing contacts of the AU plug, which they mechanically guide from a rest position (shown) to a use position. The stem 54C leads to the AU australian pin (ground pin). The ground pin is thereby moved from the (illustrated) standby position into the use position through the opening 56 visible in fig. 5.

Thus, the arrangement for guiding the electrically conductive contact pins outside the plug housing of the Schuko plug is selected for AU australian plugs compared to the ground pins inside the plug housing 40 of the Schuko plug. In contrast, the conductive contact pins of the US american-style plug are guided within the plug body 40 of the Schuko plug. Both solutions allow an advantageous and space-saving arrangement. Different solutions can be selected for different plugs.

Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of selected components on the basis of which an advantageous locking mechanism within the scope of the invention in an embodiment can be determined. The three drive elements are shown in the form of a first drive slide 84 for US american style plugs, a second drive slide 86 for UK english plugs, and a third drive slide 88 for AU australian plugs. Of course, the locking mechanism 90 shown may also cooperate with other plugs, such as the arrangement shown in FIG. 1. The locking mechanism 90 in turn includes a moving track 92 as a component. The travel track 92 extends between a first end member 94 and a second end member 96. A helical spring 98 bears against the first end part 94 and is adapted to prestress the respective retaining slider in an elastic manner towards the second end part 96 of the displacement track 92.

The coil spring 98 is provided in the first stopper slider 100A, and also acts on (is transmitted through) the second stopper slider 100B and the adjacent third stopper slider 100C. Each of the stopper slides is provided with

guide cheeks

102A, 102B, and 102C. The end of the stopper slide is also provided with slopes (steps), i.e., slopes 104A, 104B, and 104C.

Rocker levers (rocker levers) are disposed above the moving guide rails 92. Each drive element and thus the plug is assigned its own rocker. Rocker 106A is assigned to drive element 84, rocker 106B is assigned to drive element 86, and rocker 106C is assigned to drive element 88. The rocker is rotated about a rotation axis (not shown) below the moving rail 92. The rotation axis runs substantially parallel to the movement rail 92. Each rocker has a control finger (control finger)108 integrally formed therewith. For clarity, this is only labeled in detail for rocker 106C. The snap projection 110 is disposed opposite the control finger 108. The snap projection can engage with the associated drive element and can fix it in the standby position. The effective mechanism here will be described in detail below with reference to the next figure.

It can be seen from this figure that rocker 106C is in the lower position. In this position, the control finger 108 is positioned directly above the moving track 92. In this position, the control finger can only pass through if there is a suitable clearance between the stop block 100C and the second end member 96. The control fingers 108 engage within this gap. The cheek plate 102C and the ramp 104C ensure that the control finger 108 positively extends into the gap as the rocker 106C moves. The gap is sized such that the retaining

slide

100A, 100B, and 100C cannot move any further once the control fingers are inserted into the gap. The same is true for the control fingers of the other rockers.

When the rocker 106C is transferred to its upper position, which corresponds to the standby position of the drive slide 88, in which the control finger 108 is located above the stop slide 100C, there is room to move all three stop slides. Accordingly, the rocker 106B assigned to the drive slide 86 can be moved into the lower position. Here, the control rod, guided by the cheek plate 102B and the ramp 104B, will slide the stop block 110C to the right toward the second end piece 96. However, this may be because there is clearance available for the rocker 106C due to its corresponding position.

Fig. 8 shows selected components shown in fig. 7 from a different perspective, again showing drive blocks 84, 86 and 88. The

drive sliders

84 and 86 and the corresponding plugs are in a standby position. The drive slide 88 is in the use position with the corresponding plug. Only the parts necessary to describe the operating principle of the rocker are shown in the figures. With respect to rocker 106C, it can be seen that the detent 110C can engage a corresponding detent 112C on the drive slide 88. Such a catch can be conveniently designed as a recess in general. The driving slider is further provided with a counter cam (counter cam) 114C. When the driving slider moves to the upper position corresponding to its standby position, the counter-protrusion 114C presses against the pressure surface 116C on the rocker 106C. This moves rocker 106C back to its upper position. Here, the engaging portion 112C is engaged with the engaging projection 110C. This establishes a positive-locking connection, which holds the drive slide 88 in the upper position. The rocker may also be spring loaded to firmly maintain the position independent of the position of the stop slider. However, once the stop block 100C is moved and the position of the rocker 106C is fixed by the control finger 108, the drive block 88 is held firmly and fixedly in its upper position.

The fixing of the upper position of the drive slide 86 can be clearly seen from the figure. In this position, the engaging portion 112B of the driving slider 86 is fixedly connected to the engaging projection 110B. Further, the counter projection 114B engages with the rocker. The stop slide 100C prevents the control rod 108B and rocker 106B from moving downward as a unit.

It is also clear from this view that the fixation in the region of the snap lugs 110C firmly fixes all the elements of the plug. The support rod 118 for the AU australian plug can move downward only when the rocker releases the catch 112. The support bar is then reliably guided downward and upward for the conductive contact pins 120A, 120B and the ground contact pin 122.

In the manner described in general terms and more particularly in the drawings, it is possible to produce a travel converter which is very comfortable to operate and in which operating errors hardly occur. However, it is attractive to produce the travel converter inexpensively and reliably, even where large tolerances must be allowed in mass production.

Claims

1. Travel conversion plug (10) having a housing, a socket (16) and at least a first plug (28) of a first standard, wherein the first plug (28) is assigned a first drive element (84) which is designed to move the first plug (28) between a standby position, in which the first plug (28) is substantially arranged in the housing, and an active position, in which the first plug (28) is arranged outside the housing, and each plug is assigned its own retaining element, the first plug being assigned a first retaining element (106A), by means of which the first plug (28) can be retained in the standby position and the first retaining element (106A) can assume an open position and a closed position, wherein the first retaining element (106A) retains the first plug (28) in the standby position when the first retaining element (106A) is in its closed position, and the first stop element (106A) is transferable from the open position to the closed position by moving the first plug (28).

2. The travel conversion plug (10) of claim 1, wherein the first stop element (106A) is configured as a completely separate component from the first drive element (84).

3. Travel conversion plug (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first stop element is configured as a movable lever.

4. Travel conversion plug (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that each first plug (28) is assigned a support element (50) and the first stop element (106A) acts on the support element (50).

5. The travel conversion plug (10) of claim 4, wherein the support member (50) has a recess, the first stop member (106A) has a protrusion (110A), and the protrusion of the first stop member (106A) is engageable in the recess to retain the plug in the standby position.

6. The travel conversion plug (10) of claim 5, wherein the protrusion (110A) is formed on an end of the first stop element (106A).

7. Travel conversion plug (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that a second standard plug (38) is provided, which is assigned a second drive element (86), the second drive element (86) being designed to move the second plug (38) between a standby position, in which the second plug (38) is substantially arranged in the housing, and a use position, in which the second plug (38) is arrangeable outside the housing, and in that the second plug (38) is assigned a second stop element (106B), by means of which the second plug (38) can be stopped in the standby position and the second stop element can assume an open position and a closed position.

8. The travel conversion plug (10) of claim 7, wherein the path of movement of the first drive element (84) and the second drive element (86) define a plane of movement, and the first stop element (106A) and the second stop element (106B) are disposed behind the plane.

9. The travel conversion plug (10) of claim 8, wherein the first and second stop elements are configured as a movable lever that is rotatable about a pivot point located behind the plane of movement.

10. The travel conversion plug (10) of claim 1, wherein the first drive element is configured as a drive slide (22) which is guided externally by a slide groove of the housing.

11. The travel conversion plug (10) of claim 1, wherein the first stop element (106A) is coupled to a lever (108), the lever (108) allowing or preventing the first stop element (106A) from transitioning to the open position.

12. The travel conversion plug (10) of claim 11, wherein the lever (108) engages a retaining unit (90), the retaining unit (90) securing the first stop element (106A) in a closed position.

13. Travel conversion plug (10) according to claim 12, characterized in that the retaining unit has at least one retaining slider (100A) which is movable substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the first stop element (106A).

14. The travel conversion plug (10) of claim 13, wherein the at least one retaining slider (100A) is disposed on a moving track (92).