EP1064704A1

EP1064704A1 - Multiple plug for different connection systems

Info

Publication number: EP1064704A1
Application number: EP99917820A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Oswald Lott
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-03-17
Filing date: 1999-03-17
Publication date: 2001-01-03
Anticipated expiration: 2019-03-17
Also published as: DE19980450D2; ES2192044T3; ATE233441T1; JP2002507828A; AU3596899A; EP1064704B1; US6520787B1; WO1999048174A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a multi-pole multiple plug for connecting (small) electric appliances to a selection of different mains connection systems. The plug has internationally standardized pin arrangements (2) an the four sides of its housing (1) and an the base of the housing (1) is fitted with a recess for adjustably housing a contact tube (4-7) situated at the free end of a connecting cable (3) so that the strands of the connecting cable (4-7) can be connected inside the housing (1) With the pin arrangement (2) required at any particular time.

Description

description

Multiple plugs for different connection systems

The invention relates to a multiple plug for a multi-pole, in particular two- or three-pole, mains connection of electrical consumers, in particular small devices such as computer and telecommunications devices, electrical shavers or hair dryers to internationally different connection systems.

For this purpose, so-called travel plug sets are known, which consist of several intermediate plugs, each of which is only intended for adapting the existing plug-in system to a specific other. In contrast, attempts have been made to use one and the same adapter plug with the aid of a sliding mechanism and by unscrewing individual plug pins alternatively for several different plug systems (DE 297 01 285 Ul). However, this version cannot be handled properly or safely by a non-specialist, even with the help of the operating instructions.

In view of this, the use of special plug adapters has prevailed, with which the electrical devices equipped with the power plugs commonly used in the home country can be used in the manner of a combined adapter plug on the sockets available in other countries and continents.

Such a multiple connector is described in DE 36 01 469 AI. A connector is proposed, which is in the form of a pentaprism on its side surfaces 2 has the plug pin arrangements of different plug systems and has a rotating body in it, which contains sockets for further plug systems in the area of the cover and / or base area of the connector and can be manually locked and adjusted to the required plug pin arrangement of the plug body by hand, after which the remaining connector pins are completely free of tension.

However, such articles as independent items of use or as loose travel utensils always have the disadvantage that they can be easily moved or even lost. Added to this are the size and scope of such travel adapters as well as the considerable effort required to manufacture them.

In view of this, the present invention seeks to provide a common power plug on the connecting line of small electrical devices, ie. H. without using additional intermediate elements in such a way that the same can optionally be plugged into the sockets of several other plug systems. This change should be as simple and safe as possible. There should also be the possibility of being able to lead an existing protective conductor to the consumer without interruption via the plug connection.

The object is essentially achieved in that the multiple connector comprises a connector housing with first and second side surfaces, different groups of configurations of connector pins emanating from the first side surfaces, a second side surface having a recess into which a connector at the free end Fixed contact carrier is used and defined adjustable, whose contacts are connected to wires of the connecting cable, the connector pins are connected to mating contacts, and the group of connector pins of a configuration depending on the selected position of the contact carrier in the recess with the contacts of the contact carrier in conductive contact is feasible.

In a further embodiment, the invention is characterized in that its preferably cuboid plug housing carries in particular four differently designed plugs on its side surfaces and on a base surface with a centrally inward 3 reaching, cross-sectionally circular recess is provided, in which a cylindrical contact sleeve attached to the free end of a connecting cable is inserted and defined adjustable, the wires of the connecting cable being connected to contact tracks on the outer circumference of the contact sleeve and the connector pins being connected to the inner wall of the recess or are arranged in their action area mating contacts which, depending on the selected position of the contact sleeve in the recess, can be brought into conductive contact with the contact tracks on the outer circumference of the contact sleeve.

In this way, there is the possibility of inserting the power plug (multiple plug) on the connecting cable of the electrical appliance in question into the locally available socket after simply aligning the cable entry (contact sleeve) with the plug version required in each case. In this case, the connecting cable in particular starts directly from the electrical device.

A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the connector housing for holding the connector pins inserted in recesses profiled on both sides and provided on the connection side with counter contacts designed as resilient counter contact sets is constructed in two parts.

The two-part design of the connector housing enables, by means of profiled recesses in the edge region of the half-shells, a simple mounting of the free-standing in four directions and connection side inside the housing with counter-contacts designed as counter-contact sets in the area of the contact sleeve inserted connector pins. In addition, this arrangement helps to keep the entire multiple connector small and robust and to be able to manufacture it accordingly without any problems.

Furthermore, it is provided that the contact sleeve on the outer circumference in the insertion direction has contact tracks that run parallel to one another or are staggered behind one another and are insulated from one another. For manual adjustment of the contact sleeve within the connector housing, the contact sleeve has a knurled flange that comes to a stop on the base of the connector housing. It is also envisaged that within the 4 tact sleeve are arranged around the sheathing of the cable end all around against the insertion direction of the same strain relief slats.

These measures, on the other hand, divide the contact sleeve, which is pushed as a hollow plastic cylinder over the flying end of the connecting cable, into a contact sleeve provided on its outer circumference with two longitudinally spaced contact tracks, which is provided on the back with an annular knurled flange for manual adjustment of the contact sleeve within the connector housing . In addition, this contact sleeve has suitable strain relief arrangements for the connection cable, e.g. B. in the form of the same tangential all around slats that spread elastically in the sheathing under tension of the cable.

The contact sleeve also has an annular groove on its outer circumference and in interaction with the knurled flange, into which a guide web engages at its recess opening when the connector housing is assembled. Alternatively, the contact sleeve can have at least one latching element, which rests on an underside of the guide web when the contact sleeve is inserted. This enables easy twisting, but movement in the axial direction is not possible without destroying the plug.

For the exact determination of the four setting positions for the contact sleeve of the connecting cable within the connector housing, it is provided that between the base surface of the connector housing and the stop surface of the knurled flange on the contact sleeve, a locking device is provided for the four setting positions, which is designed, for example, in the form of a locking spring or the like .

To use the multiple plug in a connection system in accordance with the Australian standard, it is provided that the flat contact pins, which are at an angle to one another in accordance with the Australian standard, are assigned an unlocking (flat) pin which protrudes further in the insertion direction and which, from its rest position, is located in a slot-shaped housing pocket on the surface of the connector housing inside an elongated hole guide on a housing-fixed axis of rotation in the front connector area can be swiveled through 180 ° into the actual contact position above the flat contact pins. 5

In a preferred embodiment it is provided that the unlocking pin has a lateral shoulder cam which, in the rest position, projects out of the housing surface as a handle and locks into an end-side extension of the housing pocket for the contact position.

It is further provided that the slot guide for mounting the unlocking pin on the axis of rotation has a slot for reversibly bending one of the two guide legs forming the slot guide.

In a preferred embodiment of a multiple plug for the mains connection of small electrical devices to internationally different connection systems, the task is essentially solved in that the contact carrier as a rotatable contact sleeve in the area of a quadrant of its cylindrical surface is arranged over three staggered in a certain configuration and each with a certain configuration Line wire end of the connecting cable has connected contact linings, which are matched in the interior of the housing at the connection ends of the connector pin arrangements, which are preferably offset by 90 ° relative to one another, with corresponding counter-contact pieces in an arrangement that is spatially the same as that of the poles.

In this way, the manual alignment of the contact sleeve, which is adjustable within the housing in a defined manner, results in the simultaneous contacting of the three contact points of the main, neutral and protective conductors, which is required from case to case on the mains connection side, the remaining connector arrangements remaining completely voltage-free for safety reasons.

A further development is characterized in that the contact linings on the contact sleeve are distributed over two rows of contacts one behind the other in the insertion direction, of which the front row is single and the one behind it is populated. In this way, the contacting required in each case with the relevant three mating contacts on the part of the plug pin arrangement can advantageously be carried out in the region of a cylinder quadrant of the contact sleeve. 6

A further advantageous embodiment provides that the mating contact pieces of the various plug pin arrangements each come into contact with the rotatable contact sleeve as a spring-loaded contact finger. The mating contacts of the various plug pin arrangements present on the inside of the housing on their connection side in four zones differing from one another by 90 ° as spring-loaded sliding contact fingers which, depending on the manual setting, come into conductive contact with the same-pole coverings on the contact sleeve.

An alternative embodiment provides that at least the contact connected to the protective conductor is designed to be resilient and rests on a rigidly configured mating contact of a protective contact pin. In a preferred embodiment, the protective conductor contact is designed as an axially displaceable pin contact, which can be brought into conductive contact with at least one contact surface, each with a mating contact of the respective configuration. In order to obtain a compact structure, the protective conductor contact extends along a diagonal within the contact sleeve, a compression spring being arranged coaxially to the pin axis between a connection point, preferably a soldering eye, and an inner wall of the sleeve in order to generate the necessary spring preload.

As an embodiment with an independent inventive character, a multiple connector is proposed which has displaceable and / or pivotable and / or tiltable connector pins in order to be able to adapt the multiple connector to other, internationally different connection systems. A particularly preferred embodiment is characterized in that the multiple connector has at least one group of configurations of connector pins, a protective contact pin from a first position, which preferably corresponds to a connector configuration according to Italian standards, to a second position, which preferably corresponds to a connector configuration Swiss standard corresponds, is movable.

The protective contact pin can be moved in a first plane, which is perpendicular to a second plane spanned by main contacts. The first position is characterized in that the protective contact pin lies in the first plane, the protective contact pin in its second position spanning a triangle with the main contacts. 7

In order to prevent accidental displacement of the protective contact pin, it is provided that the protective contact pin is spring-biased in the axial direction, wherein a displacement of the protective contact pin along the first level is only possible if the protective contact pin against the spring preload inside the plug is moved.

In order to make electrical contact with the protective conductor contact of the contact sleeve, the protective contact pin is conductively connected on the inside of the plug to a contact rail, the contact rail having a guide at one end for receiving the protective contact pin and forming a mating contact at another end.

The guide within the contact rail is preferably designed as an elongated hole, comprising two receptacles of larger diameter which are designed as blind holes and which are connected to one another via a slot of smaller diameter, the receptacles for receiving a stamp which is T-shaped in cross section and is arranged on the inside of the protective contact pin on the inside of the plug are trained.

In order to expand the possible uses of the multiple connector, according to a further development with an independent inventive character, it is provided that an adapter can be plugged onto at least one group of configurations of connector pins, preferably according to British standards, with which further groups of configurations, in particular according to German / Austrian standards and French standards, can be attached on the connector side / Belgian standard.

In a preferred embodiment, the adapter has a receptacle for a protective contact clip of the multiple plug, which at least in some areas forms a first protective contact path according to German / Austrian standards and is connected to a second protective contact path according to German / Austrian standards via a sliding contact, and that the adapter is a further holder in which a socket-side protective contact pin according to French / Belgian standards can be inserted, this protective contact pin being conductively connectable to the multiple-contact protective contact clip.

A particularly simple construction is characterized in that the sliding contact follows a resilient bracket in the area of the receptacle for the protective contact pin 8 French / Belgian standard, whereby the bracket presses the protective contact pin on the connector side when the multiple connector is inserted against the protective contact bracket.

For the detachable connection of the adapter to the multiple connector, it is provided that the adapter has a latching element which engages in a recess on an upper side of the multiple connector. The connector can be easily, i. H. can be solved without the use of tools.

In order to give a user a possibility to check the operational readiness of an existing local socket, it is provided that the multiple plug has a visual display device which is connected to the contacts of the contact carrier. The display device always lights up when the socket configuration used is functional and the user has selected the correct switch position. The visual display device is preferably a glow lamp or light-emitting diode which is connected in parallel with the selected voltage supply. The optical display is ensured in that the housing has a preferably colored viewing window and / or is at least partially transparent. In any case, the operator immediately recognizes that when the display lights up, he has turned the rotatable contact carrier or the shift drum into the correct position and that the desired voltage is present at the socket, so that he can put his electrical device into operation.

The glow lamp can be connected to the contacts via a protective resistor connected in series. In a preferred embodiment, the viewing window and / or the transparent housing area is arranged on a surface opposite the base surface, the display being arranged within the contact sleeve. The contact sleeve itself can also consist at least in regions of a transparent material and / or have a viewing window.

The inventive design of the multiple connector results in particular over the prior art according to DE 36 01 469 AI the advantage that the multiple connector is firmly connected to the electrical device and is therefore captive. The multiple connector can also be manufactured with reduced external dimensions, since this is not mandatory 9, a standardized safety socket is provided in a side surface, which enlarges the housing unnecessarily.

Further details, advantages and features of the invention result not only from the claims, the features to be extracted from them - individually and / or in combination - but also from the following description of a preferred exemplary embodiment which can be seen from the drawing.

Show it:

1 and 2 two side views of the multiple connector with the different connector designs,

3 is a view of the base with the adjustable cable entry,

4 is a side view of a contact sleeve,

5 is a partially sectioned side view of the multiple connector shown in FIG. 1,

Fig. 6 is a partially sectioned plan view of the base according to

Fig. 3,

7 shows a plug pin arrangement according to the Australian standard,

8 and 9 side views of a multiple connector according to FIGS. 1 and 2 with

Pin arrangement according to Australian standard,

10 is a view of the surface of the housing of the multiple connector, 10

11 to 13, the adjustability of the unlocking contact with rest, swivel and operating position shown on an enlarged scale 2: 1,

14 and 15 two side views of a three-pin multiple plug with the different types of earthed plug,

16 is a view of the base of the multiple connector according to FIG.

14 and 15 with adjustable cable entry,

17 is a side view of a contact sleeve with an optical display device,

18 is a side view, partly in section in the contacting area, according to FIG. 14,

19 shows a side view of the base area according to FIG. 16, partially in section in the contact area,

20 is a partially sectioned side view of a further embodiment of a contact sleeve,

21 is a sectional side view of another embodiment of a multiple connector with adapter,

22 is a plan view of a further embodiment of a contact sleeve,

23 is a front view of a group of sliding pin configurations; 11

24 is a perspective view of an adapter for expanding a configuration of the multiple connector according to British standard to configurations according to German / Austrian standard and French / Belgian standard,

25 is a top view of the multiple connector with adapter in perspective view

Fig. 26 is a bottom view of the multiple connector with adapter in a perspective view.

As can be seen from the individual illustrations, the cross-divided connector housing 1 made of insulating material has on its side surfaces the connector pin arrangements of four different internationally standardized connection systems, of which only the European connector on the left in FIGS. 1, 3, 5 and 6 of the Drawing is provided with the reference number 2. For the adjustable entry of the connecting cable 3 into the connector housing 1, the contact sleeve 4 shown separately in FIG. 4 is provided at the relevant cable end.

This contact sleeve 4 consists of a plastic hollow cylinder, into which the connecting cable 3 is inserted in order to be connected with its two line wires to the contact tracks 5 which are present on the outer circumference of the hollow cylinder and are exactly spaced apart in the longitudinal direction. In this case, the connecting cable 3 inserted into the contact sleeve 4 is acted upon by a plurality of lamellae 9 which point around the inside of the insertion opening and which, when the connecting cable 3 is subjected to tensile stress, pierce the casing by means of its tapering ends and thus prevent it from being pulled out.

Furthermore, the contact sleeve 4 is provided in the axial direction behind the contact tracks 5 and in front of a knurled flange 6 for adjusting the cable entry with an annular groove 7 into which a guide lip is provided on the part of the recess opening during assembly of the plug. 12 engages in the connector housing 1. As not particularly shown in the drawing, a customary locking arrangement can be used between the connector housing 1 and the movable knurled flange 6, through which the contact sleeve 4, when manually adjusted in accordance with the existing plug pin arrangements, arrives exactly in four use positions, each offset by 90 °.

This defined adjustability of the contact sleeve 4 attached to the end of the connecting cable 3 is used to bring its two contact paths 5 inside the plug housing 1 into conductive contact, depending on the setting, in any setting direction with the mating contact projections 8 provided by the connecting ends of the range of different connector pins 2 in the correct and resilient manner into the action area of the contact sleeve 4.

In this way, it is possible to set the multiple plug presented before it is used simply by turning the cable entry in the direction of the required plug-in system and to insert it with its plug pins into the socket available on the spot. Thereafter, a necessary change of the plug-in system can be accomplished just as easily and safely by simply turning the knurled handle 6 in the area of the cable entry.

For the establishment of a connection with a socket according to the Australian standard, account is also taken of the special feature that the plug pin arrangement provided for this purpose, in addition to the two diagonally projecting flat contact pins according to FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawing above, and as shown separately in FIG. 7, additionally has a somewhat longer unlocking (flat) pin, through which the two pole contact sockets inside the Australian socket must first be mechanically released during the insertion process before electrical contact is made.

In order to supplement the multiple connector described in this regard, such a connector is provided with a flat pin 10 which can be pivoted about an axis of rotation fixed to the housing on its surface of the housing 1 opposite the adjustable cable entry, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 10 of the drawing. Its storage takes place near the end face of the connector housing 1 within a slot guide at the rear end of the W wOu 9 * 9 * / ^/ 4 ^< .8 »1_7 ⁱ 4n PC17EP99 / 01731

13

Flat pin 10, whereby the same can be adjusted out of its rest position in a rearward slit-shaped housing pocket 11 and further through 180 ° into the actual contact position above the two inclined pole contact pins 2 ', as shown in FIGS. 11 to 13 one after the other . For this purpose, the flat pin 10 protrudes from the housing surface in its rest position with a shoulder cam 12 serving as a handle, in order to lock it with the same in the swung-out state on the face side in a front recess of the housing pocket 11 and in this way the flat pin 10 securely and free of play on the plug housing 1 to fix. For the assembly of this flat pin 10 on the housing 1 of the multiple connector, its slot guide is provided with a slit in itself. The flat pin 10 is produced as a stamped part with an open guide leg, as indicated in FIG. 11, and can be adapted to the shape after being attached to the housing's own axis of rotation.

14 to 19, a first embodiment of a three-pole multiple contact plug is shown. As can be seen from FIGS. 14 and 15, the multiple contact plug on the side faces of its cross-divided plastic housing 1 'carries the pin arrangements of four different connection systems, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 19 according to German, on the left side according to Swiss, above according to Italian and right side according to British standard. For the sake of clarity, only the protective contact pins of the foreign plugs or the laterally recessed metal inserts on the German plug for contacting resilient sliding contacts on the side of a protective contact socket are provided with the reference number 2 '. In addition, the contact sleeve 4 ', which is shown separately in FIG. 17 of the drawing, is provided for an adjustable entry of the connecting cable 3' into the housing 1 'of the multiple plug at the relevant cable end.

This contact sleeve 4 'carries, on the cylindrical outer surface of the sleeve body which is slipped over the cable end and rotatably supported in the housing 1', in a special arrangement the contact pads 5 'connected to the lead wire of the connecting cable 3'. The contact linings 5 'are arranged in two rows one behind the other in the insertion direction and are formed in the region of a quadrant of the contact sleeve 4' as a single contact piece or as two contact pieces arranged next to one another. 14

In the interior of the plug-in opening in the base of the housing 1 ', depending on the manual setting of the contact sleeve 4', the contact pads 5 'come into conductive contact with the associated mating contacts 8' at the connection end of the relevant plug pins 2 'or at the corresponding metal inserts (protective contacts) the German standard. Here, the mating contacts 8 'pointing from the ends of the plug pins or the metal inserts spring-loaded in the direction of the inserted contact sleeve 4' correspond in terms of their contact points in spatial relation to the arrangement of the corresponding contact pads 5 '.

The further embodiment of the contact sleeve 4 ', which is adjustably held within the housing l ¹ , has a knurled flange 6' attached to the actual sleeve body on the insertion side of the connecting cable 3 ', with which the Contact sleeve 4 'on the outer wall of the housing 1' comes to rest and can be adjusted according to the marking by hand to the relevant pin arrangement.

In order to give the user an orientation as to whether the selected local socket is functional at all, an optical display device 13 according to FIG. 17 is provided, which is connected to the corresponding contact coverings 5 ^* via supply lines 14, 15. In the exemplary embodiment described, the display device comprises a glow lamp 16 which is connected in series with a series resistor 17 to the contact pads 5 '. The light generated by the display device 13 when the socket is functional can penetrate either through a colored viewing window or through a completely transparent connector housing. It is also possible to produce the contact sleeve itself at least in regions from a transparent material and to arrange the display device 13 within the contact sleeve. If necessary, the surface opposite the base surface can also have a viewing window and / or can consist at least in regions of transparent material. In any case, the operator immediately recognizes that when the display 13 lights up, the contact sleeve 4 'has been rotated into the correct position and that the desired voltage is present at the socket used, so that a connectable electrical device can be put into operation. 15

In this case, the opening edge of the housing 1 'for rotatably holding the contact sleeve 4' by means of a guide lip engages in an annular groove 7 'provided between the sleeve body and the knurled flange 6', while in the flange area there is the strain relief device 9 'for the connecting cable 3' and one in the Drawing not particularly shown locking device is located, with which the contact sleeve 4 'can be adjusted exactly to the desired connector pin arrangement.

20 shows a side view of a further embodiment of a contact sleeve 18, partly in a sectional view. In order to achieve a simple and low-friction mounting of the contact sleeve 18 within the multiple connector 1, 1 ', 18 locking elements 20 are provided in a peripheral wall 19 of the contact sleeve. These are an integral part of the contact sleeve 18 and can be pivoted about a joint 21. The latching element 20 has a nose 22, which rests on an underside of a guide web delimiting the recess opening of the plug housing 1, 1 '. This allows the contact sleeve 18 to be twisted slightly, at the same time preventing the contact sleeve 18 from being pulled out.

In order to ensure effective strain relief, a radial bore 23 is provided in the knurled flange 6 'for receiving a screw, such as a grub screw, which exerts a force on the strain relief device 9 ¹ .

FIG. 21 shows a second embodiment of a three-pole protective contact multiple plug 24 in a sectional view, the same elements being designated with the same reference numbers. The multiple plug 24 comprises a plug configuration 25 with at least one displaceable protective contact pin 2 ', as a result of which the plug configuration 25 can be adapted on the one hand to connection systems according to Italian standards and on the other hand to connection systems according to Swiss standards.

Furthermore, the multiple connector 24 is detachably connected to an adapter 26, the adapter 26 preferably being arranged on a side surface of the multiple connector 24, which has a connector configuration according to the British standard. This is characterized by a protruding protective contact clip 27, which together with main contacts, not shown 16 essentially forms an equilateral triangle. The protective contact clip 27 is completely received by a receptacle 28 within the adapter 26, an outer surface area of the contact clip 27 being accessible as a first protective contact 30 according to German / Austrian standards via a recess 31 within the wall 32 of the adapter 26.

A second protective contact 33 is provided diagonally opposite, which is also accessible via a recess 34 within the circumferential wall 32 of the adapter 26. The protective contact 33 is part of a sliding contact 35, which is spring-biased, preferably against an underside 36 of the protective contact clip 27. A further receptacle 37 is provided for adapting further configurations, in particular according to the French ^ Elgian standard, which extends parallel or essentially parallel and below the protective contact bracket 27. This serves to receive a socket-side protective contact pin, which is received by the receptacle 37 and is conductively connected to the underside 36 of the contact bracket when the multiple plug is inserted. In addition, the socket-side protective contact pin is pressed against the underside 36 of the protective contact clip 27 via a bow-shaped section 38 of the sliding contact 35 in order to produce a sufficient electrically conductive contact.

This takes advantage of the fact that the arrangement of the main contacts 39 according to the German / Austrian standard and the French / Belgian standard essentially correspond. The outer design of the adapter 26 is essentially the same as the shape of a standardized Schuko plug.

To attach the adapter 26 to the multiple plug 24, the latter has a latching element 40 which is anchored in a recess 41 in the outer housing area of the multiple plug 24. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, a nose of the latching element 40 engages on a protruding edge 42 of the essentially L-shaped protective contact clip 27, so that it performs a double function. The resilient, bow-shaped section 35, 38 is firmly connected to the adapter 26.

The contact sleeve 9 'comprises a contact sleeve 43 which has essentially the same structure as the previously described contact sleeves 4, 4'. Unlike the previous ones 17 embodiments described, the contact sleeve 43 has a protective conductor contact 44 which is resilient, with counter contacts 45, 46 of the protective contact pins 27, 2 'being rigid. The protective conductor contact 44 is fixed, preferably via a soldered connection, to the protective conductor 47 of the connecting cable 3.

22 shows a top view of the contact sleeve 43. The protective conductor contact 44 is designed as a contact pin, with a contact surface 48 which projects through an opening 49 within a wall 50 of the contact sleeve 43 and can be brought into conductive connection with the mating contacts 45, 46. In order to produce the necessary contact pressure, a coil spring 52 is arranged coaxially to a section 51 of the contact pin 44, which extends between an inner wall 53 of the sleeve 43 and a soldering connection flag 54 of the protective conductor contact 44. An element 55 opposite the contact surface 48 is mounted in a further opening 56 in the wall 50 of the contact sleeve 43.

As already mentioned above, the multiple plug 24 has a configuration 25 which can be changed by moving a plug pin from a configuration according to the Italian standard to a configuration according to the Swiss standard. The protective contact 2 'can be moved from a first position 57, which preferably corresponds to a plug configuration according to Italian standards, into a second position 58, which preferably corresponds to a plug configuration according to Swiss standards.

The protective contact 2 'is on the one hand displaceable in the axial direction against the force of a spring element 59 in order to enable a displacement from the first position 57 into the second 58 at all.

On the inside of the plug, the protective contact 2 ^{1 is} conductively connected with an anchor-shaped end 59 to a contact rail 60 which on the one hand forms the counter-contact 46 and on the other hand comprises a guide 61 for the anchor-shaped end 59. The contact rail 60 is firmly connected to the housing of the multiple plug 24, so that the protective contact 2 ′ can also be locked thereby. The protective contact 2 'is essentially cylindrical and has a taper 62 in the end region 59, which is longitudinally displaceable in the guide 61. As shown in FIG. 23, the guide 61 is designed as an elongated hole 62, with in the end areas 18 chen of the elongated hole 62 arranged blind hole-shaped receptacles 63, 64, in which the stem-shaped end portion 59 of the protective contact 2 'can be received. The receptacle 63 is assigned to the position 57 and the receptacle 64 to the position 58. The spring element 56 on the one hand ensures that the protective contact 2 'is locked in the respective position 57, 58 and, on the other hand, that sufficient electrical contact is made with the contact rail 60.

23, main contacts 65, 66 are arranged in a first plane, the protective contact 2 'being displaceable in a second plane which is perpendicular to the plane spanned by the main contacts 65, 66. In position 57 the protective contact 2 'is in the plane spanned by the main contacts 65, 66, the protective contact 2' spanning a triangle in position 58 with the main contacts 65, 66.

24 shows a three-dimensional representation of the adapter 26. On the socket end, it is essentially adapted to the shape of a commercially available protective contact plug, as prescribed by the German / Austrian standard. Multiple receptacles on the receptacles 28 and 37 are formed, on the one hand for receiving the protective contact bracket 27 according to the British standard and on the other hand the receptacle 37 for the socket-side protective contact pin according to the French / Belgian standard.

Furthermore, receptacles 67, 68 are provided, into which the main plug pins attached to the multiple plug 24 are inserted in order to establish a conductive connection with the main contacts 39 of the adapter.

Starting from the essentially cylindrical jacket-shaped wall 32, a wall area 69 extends at least in regions, which has the same longitudinal extent as the latching element 40. The locking element 40 is preferably formed parallel or essentially parallel to the upper surface 30 of the protective contact clip 27 and latches with the latter. 19

25 shows a perspective illustration of the multiple plug 24 with adapter 26 in the assembled state. The locking element 40 is easily accessible via the recess 41 and can be released without the aid of a tool.

FIG. 26 shows a top view of the multiple plug 24 with adapter 26 in a perspective view, in particular the plug configuration 25 with displaceable protective contact 2 ¹ can be seen.

In summary, the subject of the invention provides a multiple connector for a multi-pin network connection of electrical consumers to internationally different connection systems, which is fixedly connected to a connecting line of the electrical consumer via a contact carrier rotatably arranged in a housing of the multiple connector. This makes the multiple connector captive and is a constant companion for the electrical consumer. Via the contact carrier 4, 4 ', 43, the electrical consumer can be connected to the groups of configurations of connector pins 2, 2' arranged on the multiple plug in any desired manner.

Due to the arrangement according to the invention of a sliding contact, in particular a protective contact 2 ', a group of configurations of plug pins can be adapted to both the Swiss and the Italian standards.

Another object with an inventive character is the adapter 26 to be connected to the multiple connector, which makes two further groups of configurations of connector pins accessible. In the described embodiment, the multiple plug 1, 1 ', 24 has four different groups of configurations of plug pins which, due to the displaceability of a protective contact and the use of the adapter 26, can be adapted to a total of seven different groups of configurations of plug pins of international connection systems.

Claims

20th

claims

Multiple plug for a multi-pole, in particular two or three-pole, mains connection of electrical consumers, in particular devices such as computer and telecommunication devices, electrical shavers or hair dryers, to internationally different connection systems, comprising a plug housing (1, 1 ') with first and second side surfaces, whereby Different groups of configurations of plug pins (2, 2 ', 2 ") start from the first side surfaces, a second side surface having a recess into which a contact carrier (4, 4') fixedly arranged at the free end of a connecting cable (3) is inserted and is defined adjustable, the contacts (5, 5 ') are connected to wires of the connecting cable (3, 3'), the connector pins (2, 2 ', 2 ") being connected to counter contacts (8), and the group of Connector pins (2, 2 ', 2 ") of a configuration depending on the selected position of the contact carrier (4, 4') in the recess with the contacts (5, 5 ') of the contact carrier (4, 4 ') can be brought into conductive contact.

Multiple plugs for a two-pin network connection of electrical consumers, in particular electrical devices, to internationally different connection systems, the plug housing (1) of which has several differently designed plug configurations on its circumferential surface and which has a centrally inwardly extending recess with a circular cross section on a base surface is inserted into the cylindrical contact sleeve (4), which is fixedly attached to the free end of a connecting cable (3), and can be adjusted in a defined manner, the wires of the connecting cable (3) being connected to contact tracks (5) on the outer circumference of the contact sleeve (4) and the connector pins (2) are attached to the inner wall 21 fertilized the recess or in its action area arranged counter contacts (8) are connected, depending on the selected position of the contact sleeve (4) in the recess with the contact tracks (5) on the outer circumference of the contact sleeve (4) in conductive contact.

Multiple connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connector housing (1, 1 ') is cuboid and has at least four different groups of configurations of connector pins (2, 2', 2 ").

4. Multiple connector according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact carrier as a rotatable contact sleeve (4 ') in the region of a quadrant of its cylindrical surface over at least three staggered in a certain configuration and each with a specific line wire end of the connecting cable (3' ) connected as contact pads (5 ') formed contacts, which are opposed in the interior of the housing (1') at the connection ends of the preferably 90 ° offset pin assemblies corresponding counter-contact pieces (6 ') in spatially the same as the corresponding arrangement.

5. Multiple connector according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact coverings (5 ') on the contact sleeve (4') are distributed over two rows of contacts one behind the other in the insertion direction, of which the front one and the one behind it are equipped twice.

Multiple connector according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that W wO 9 ^y 9 ^y / ^/ 4 ^ 8a1 ⁱ 7 ⁱ 4n PCT / EP99 / 01731

22 that the mating contact pieces (6 ') of the various plug pin arrangements each come into contact as spring-loaded contact fingers on the rotatable contact sleeve (4').

Multiple plug according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug housing (1, 1 ') for holding the plug contacts (8, 8') inserted in recesses profiled on both sides and provided on the connection side with mating contacts (8, 8 ') designed as resilient mating contact lugs. 2 ") is formed in two parts.

8. Multiple plug according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact sleeve (4, 4 ') has two on the outer circumference parallel in the insertion direction next to each other or staggered applied and mutually insulated contact tracks (5, 5').

Multiple connector according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact sleeve (4, 4 ') has a knurled flange (6, 6') which comes to abut against the base of the connector housing (1, 1 ') for manual adjustment of the contact sleeve (4, 4'). 4 ') within the connector housing (1, 1').

10. Multiple plug according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that within the contact sleeve (4, 4 ') several the sheathing of the cable end (3, 3') all around against the insertion direction of the same demanding strain relief lamellae (9, 9 ') are arranged. 23

11. Multiple connector according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a guide web is provided at the recess opening of the connector housing (1, 1 '), which in an annular groove (7, 7') on the side of the contact sleeve (4, 4 ') intervenes.

12. Multiple connector according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact sleeve (4, 4 ', 18) has at least one latching element (20) which rests on an underside of a guide web delimiting the recess opening.

13. Multiple connector according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that between the base of the connector housing (1, 1 ') and the stop surface of the knurled flange (6, 6') on the contact sleeve (4, 4 ') a locking device for four Positioning positions is provided.

14. Multiple plug according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of the obliquely standing flat contact pins (2 ¹ , 2 ") assigned according to Australian standard and in the insertion direction further protruding unlocking (flat) pin (10) is provided, which from its rest position in a slot-shaped housing pocket (11) on the surface of the connector housing (1, 1 ') within a slot guide on a rotary axis fixed to the housing in the front connector area by 180 ° into the actual contact position above the flat contact pins (2') pivotable and lockable is.

15. Multiple connector according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in 24 that the unlocking pin (10) has a lateral extension cam (12) which, in the rest position, projects as a handle from the housing surface and, for the contact position, engages in a frontal extension of the housing pocket (11).

16. Multiple connector according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the slot guide for mounting the unlocking pin (10) on the axis of rotation has a slot for reversibly bending one of the two guide legs forming the slot guide.

17. Multiple connector according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one contact (44) connected to the protective conductor (47) is resilient and rests on a rigidly configured mating contact of a protective conductor contact pin (2 ', 27).

18. Multiple connector according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective conductor contact (44) is designed as an axially displaceable pin contact which can be brought into conductive contact with at least one contact surface (48) with in each case one counter contact (45, 46) of the respective configuration is.

19. Multiple connector according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective conductor contact (44) extends within the contact sleeve (43) along a diagonal, with between a connection point (54), preferably a soldering eye, and an inner wall (53) of the Sleeve (43) a compression spring (52) is arranged coaxially to the pin axis. 25th

20. Multiple connector, in particular according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that the multiple connector (1, 1 ', 24) has displaceable and / or pivotable and / or tiltable connector pins (2, 2', 2 ").

21. Multiple connector according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the multiple connector has at least one group of configurations of connector pins, a protective contact (2 ') from a first position (57), which preferably corresponds to a connector configuration according to the Italian standard, in a second position (58), which preferably corresponds to a plug configuration according to the Swiss standard, is displaceable.

22. Multiple connector according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective contact (2 ') is displaceable in a first plane which is perpendicular to a second plane spanned by main contacts.

23. Multiple plug according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective contact (2 ') is spring-biased in the axial direction, wherein a displacement of the protective contact (2') along the first plane is only possible if the protective contact (2 ' ) is moved into the inside of the plug against the spring preload.

24. Multiple plug according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective contact (2 ') on the inside of the plug with a contact rail (60) is conductive 26 is connected, the contact rail (60) having a guide (61) at one end for receiving the protective contact (2 ') and the mating contact (46) at another end.

25. Multiple connector according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide (61) is designed as an elongated hole (62), comprising two receptacles (63, 64) of larger diameter designed as blind holes, which are connected to one another via a slot of smaller diameter and the receptacles are designed to receive an anchor-shaped end region (59) arranged on the plug-side end of the protective contact (2 ').

26. Multiple connector, in particular according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that an adapter (26) can be plugged onto at least one group of configurations of connector pins (2, 2 '), preferably according to British standards, with the connector-side further groups of configurations , in particular according to the German / Austrian standard and the French / T3elgian standard.

27. Multiple plug according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adapter (26) has a receptacle (28) for a protective contact clip (27) of the multiple plug (24), which at least in regions has a first protective contact (30) according to German / Austrian Forms standard and is connected via a sliding contact (35) to a second protective contact (32) according to the German / Austrian standard and that the adapter (26) has a further receptacle (37) into which a protective contact pin on the socket side according to the French / Belgian standard is insertable, this protective contact pin being conductively connectable to the multiple-contact protective contact bracket (27). 27

28. Multiple plug according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sliding contact (35) has a resilient bracket (38) in the region of the receptacle (37) for the protective contact pin according to French / Belgian standards, the bracket (38) press the protective contact pin on the plug side against the protective contact bracket (27) when inserting the multiple plug.

29. Multiple connector according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adapter (26) has a latching element (40) which engages in a recess (41) on an upper side of the multiple connector (24).

30. Multiple connector according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the multiple connector has a visual display device (13) which is connected to the contacts (5, 5 ') of the contact carrier (4, 4').

31. Multiple connector according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the visual display device (13) is a glow lamp (16) or light emitting diode.

32. Multiple connector according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing has a preferably colored viewing window and / or is at least partially transparent. 28

33. Multiple connector according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the glow lamp (16) with a protective resistor (17) forms a series connection.

34. Multiple connector according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the viewing window and / or the transparent housing area is arranged on a surface opposite the base area and that the visual display is arranged within the contact sleeve (4, 4 ').

35. Multiple connector according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact sleeve (4, 4 ') consists at least in regions of a transparent material and / or has a viewing window.

36. Multiple connector according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting cable starts directly from the electrical device.

37. Multiple connector according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wires of the connecting cable (3, 3 ') with the contacts (5, 5') of the contact carrier (4, 4 ') are firmly connected as soldered or screwed.

39. adapter, in particular for a multiple connector according to at least one of the preceding claims, 29 characterized in that the adapter (26) has a receptacle (28) for a protective contact clip (27) of the multiple plug (24) which forms a first protective contact (30) according to German / Austrian standards at least in certain areas and via a sliding contact (35) is connected to a second protective contact (32) according to the German / Austrian standard and that the adapter (26) has a further receptacle (37) into which a socket-side protective contact pin according to the French / Belgian standard can be inserted, this protective contact pin also the multi-pin protective contact bracket (27) can be connected in a conductive manner.