EP1393417B1 - Mains plug - Google Patents

Abstract

A travel plug comprises a socket on one side for one or several plug types. On the opposite side several pin contacts (for example, 138) of various types may be extended into an operating position. The pin contacts (for example, 138) may be extended in slide slots (25a,b,c,d) by means of operating levers (27a,b,c,d). Said slide slots (25) for the non-extended pin contacts are covered by stop bodies (29), such that just one single pin contact (for example, 138) may be extended. A safety body (81), which secures the pin contact (138) in the active position prevents the extended pin contact (138) from being inadvertently pushed back.

Description

The invention relates to a power plug for plugging into a power outlet, with a plug body and at least two plug contacts different standardization, each having two electrically conductive pins and pushed into an active position from the plug body and slidable into a passive position in the plug body.

State of the art:

From US-A-4,626,052 a multiple intermediate connector with four plug contacts is known. The plug contacts are arranged one above the other like a drawer and can be pushed into and out of the plug body. This multi-pin connector has a first plug contact which, depending on the position of the contact pins, can comply with the US and Australian standards, a second which, depending on the position of the plug contact, can comply with the standards of Germany or other European countries, a third, that of the British Standard , as well as a fourth, which corresponds to the Italian standard.

The British plug contact has at the bottom of the plug body two pins and uppermost on the plug body an opener without electrical contact. Between the opener and the contact pins of the British plug contact three other sliding plug contacts are arranged. Thus, the opener of the British plug contact is related to the contact pins, the other plug contacts a running in the sliding direction, centrally located slot through which a connecting web between plug contacts and opener extends. As a result, the displaceable plug contacts of the other standards are split in half along an axis of symmetry of the plug except for a connecting web between the one and the other half. At each of these halves, an actuating lever is resiliently arranged. These actuating levers are displaceable in slots formed on both sides of the housing and engage in an active position of the plug-in contact on the housing. The British plug contact has two operating levers in the symmetry axis of the plug, which engage in the same manner in the housing. Although the actuating lever of a plug contact lock this plug contact in its active or passive Position, but have no effect on the displacement of another plug contact.

On the back of the plug a socket is formed. The electrical connection from plug to socket is done via two U-shaped conductors, which are in communication with the sockets of the socket. On the plug contacts conductive slider are formed, depending on the plug contact either on the inside or the outside slide on one of the two legs of the U-shaped conductor.

A disadvantage of this connector is that at the same time several plug contacts can be advanced from the housing. In order to prevent such an undesirable condition, it is proposed to provide a rotatable shutter which prevents the advancement of all plug-in contacts except a selected one. Alternatively, it is proposed that the tips consist of electrically insulating material. However, these proposed solutions are not further elaborated and not shown in the drawing.

Another disadvantage is that all plug contacts are under the terminal voltage as soon as a plug contact is connected to a power source. The plug contact for Germany has an isolated, in the active position on the plug body projecting male body from which protrude the pins. If this plug contact is e.g. In Spain plugged into a socket without the recess corresponding to the male body, so another forward plug contact is freely accessible and is under tension.

If a plug contact is not fully pushed into the active end position, the operating lever on the housing does not engage. The plug contact can still be inserted. The contact in the socket is then no longer guaranteed. An electrical device plugged into the socket in the multiple intermediate plug can still be used. It can easily lead to repeated sparking in the socket, heating the socket and subsequently to a fire.

Object of the invention:

It is an object of the invention to provide a power plug with a plurality of push-out plug contacts, in which the risk of accidents compared to the prior art is substantially reduced.

Description of the invention:

This object is achieved in a power plug according to the invention that the potentially live parts are hidden, or that a power reference is possible only via a fully ejected plug contact.

A power plug for plugging into a power outlet has a housing and at least two plug contacts different standardization, which are mounted displaceably in the housing. These plug contacts each have at least two electrically conductive contact pins. The plug contacts are displaceable in an active position and a passive position. The contact pins are pushed out of the housing into the active position and into the housing into the passive position. In such a connector, the stated object is achieved in that a movable relative to the housing, cooperating with the plug contacts locking device is provided which opens the sliding path of the passive in the active position in different positions each a single plug contact. At the same time, the locking device obstructs the sliding path or the other plug contacts, since the mobility of the locking device is limited by the plug contact outside the passive position such that the sliding of another plug contact from the passive to the active position prevented by the Arretiervorichtung held in the sliding path of the other plug contact is.

The locking device may e.g. be formed by a rotatable disc which releases the holes for a single plug contact in different rotational positions and conceals the other perforations.

Preferably, the locking device on a number of independently movable locking body, which are arranged side by side and guided. The dimensions of these locking body and their freedom of movement is such that only a single extension on a support member, advantageously the operating lever of a single plug contact finds place in one of the spaces between the switching parts. As a result, the locking body are close to each other at the other interstices and thus prevent that another extension between the locking body can be performed. This makes it impossible that more than one plug contact is in the active position. The locking body are advantageously identical, so that only one mold is needed for their production.

The locking body can be mounted pivotably or just be displaced. They are advantageously guided displaceably on a circular path. The locking body are advantageously arranged within the housing. Since they are expediently guided on one side through the housing, the circular path is expedient for the shape of the housing. The displacement in a guide has the advantage over the pivoting about an axis that the parts and their space requirements are smaller.

A solution of the problem is that in a mentioned power plug with connecting conductors inside the housing for electrically connecting further conductive electrical connection parts to the contact pins, the connection conductor in the active position of a plug contact are each electrically connected to a contact pin, and electrically in the passive position of the plug contact are separated from the contact pin. Advantageously, even in a position of the plug contact between the active position and passive position, the contact between connecting conductor and contact pin is interrupted. This makes it impossible to connect via a not correctly ejected plug contact a Strombezüger. Thus, both the risk of fire due to sparks in the power outlet is significantly reduced.

Advantageously, two band-shaped connecting conductors are arranged on the housing on the inside of the plug surface and parallel thereto, which cooperate with contacts, which are electrically connected to the contact pins of the plug contacts via terminals. Advantageously, the terminals are formed on the connection conductor and the contact of the contact pins are inserted into these terminals when advancing into the active position. Advantageously, the plug contacts are locked in this position by the safety body.

In another embodiment of this contact in the active position, each plug contact on a support member on which the contact pins are arranged. On the carrier parts or on the euro plug-in body, a contact surface which is conical to the contact pin is formed on each contact pin, advantageously from the side of the active position to the side of the passive position. In the active position of the plug contact associated with the connection conductor contactors are pressed by the contact surfaces against the contact pins. The tapered design of the contact surfaces allows the contact persons are resilient and the spring force the contact takers pushes away from the contact pin. This ensures that the contact persons outside the guide surfaces are no longer in contact with the contact pins.

If the power plug is a transition plug with a power outlet for plugging in a power plug of one or more specific standards, then the contactors are advantageously joined together with a socket and, e.g. connected by a welding point. This allows the use of two identical contacts and two identical sockets, which are only assembled differently.

Due to the tapered arrangement of the contact pins, a maximum load of the Euro plug is required to prevent sparking in the socket. Advantageously, an overload protection is therefore provided in the power plug. This is arranged in particular between a European standard corresponding plug contact and the continuing connection parts. Other plug contacts can also be secured.

Furthermore, the risk of accident with the power plug can be substantially reduced by a single, movable between a release and a fixation position safety body is provided in the fixation position located in the fixation position each located in the active position plug against unintentional sliding of the plug in the passive position guaranteed. The safety body therefore fixes the ejected plug contact in the active position, whereby a proper contact between the contact pins and the power supply in a socket, in which the plug is inserted, is ensured.

If the power plug itself has at least one socket with at least two insertion openings for inserting a power plug into the housing, the object stated at the outset is achieved by providing a safety body movable between a release position and a fixation position inside the housing. In the release position, this single safety body allows sliding of the plug contact and simultaneously narrows or closes at least one insertion opening. This makes it impossible to plug in a current collector, as long as the plug contact is not in the active position. As a result, it is also impossible to obtain power via a not properly inserted plug contact.

Advantageously, the safety body is displaceably mounted about a displacement path and has a number of transverse to the direction of displacement arranged holding rods. The support rods cooperate with a transversely directed to the sliding direction guide side of the support rods with the support parts of the plug contacts. On this guide side, an incised end point is formed in front and behind each. Between the cut end points, a thickening projecting from the end points is formed. The supernatant of this thickening is a maximum of the length of the displacement distance of the safety body. In the active position, the front end point cooperates with the carrier part of the ejected plug-in contact, in the passive position of the plug contact, the rear terminal is combined with its carrier part. This ensures that the safety body is in the release position when there is a plug contact between the active and the passive position.

Thus, when pushing out a plug-in contact of the safety body is automatically brought into the release position, the thickening to the rear end point is running down obliquely diluted to the level of the terminal. The rear end but can also be designed such that a stop prevents the plug-in contact to advance if it is not pressed from the outside n the release position. In order for the plug contact to be secured in the active position, the thickening towards the front end point points towards a shoulder directed parallel to the sliding direction. To unlock a plug-in contact located in the active position, the safety body has an actuating button, which protrudes through an opening in the housing. The relative to the housing resiliently mounted safety body can be pressed with the operating knob from the fixation in the release position. The spring force pushes him into the fixation position.

Brief description of the figures:

Figur 1:

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Mehrfachsteckers mit vier ausschiebbaren Steckern unterschiedlicher Norm und einer Dose zum Einstecken von Steckern unterschiedlicher Norm,

Figur 2:

eine Ansicht der Steckerfläche des Mehrfachsteckers gemäss Fig.1,

Figur 3:

eine Ansicht der Dosenseite des Mehrfachsteckers gemäss Fig. 1,

Figur 4:

eine Ansicht der Release-Seite des Mehrfachsteckers gemäss Fig. 1,

Figur 5:

eine Ansicht der Betätigungs-Seite des Mehrfachsteckers gemäss Fig. 1,

Figur 6:

eine perspektivische Explosionsdarstellung der Bestandteile des Mehrfachsteckers gemäss Fig. 1,

Figur 7:

eine Innenansicht der Steckerfläche mit eingefügten Anschlussleitern und Kontaktbuchsen,

Figur 8:

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Mehrfachsteckers mit ausgeschobenem EU-Stecker,

Figur 9:

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Mehrfachsteckers mit ausgeschobenem AU-Stecker,

Figur 10:

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Mehrfachsteckers mit ausgeschobenem UK-Stecker,

Figur 11:

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Mehrfachsteckers mit ausgeschobenem US-Stecker,

Figur 12:

eine Ansicht des Sicherheitskörpers mit dem UK-Steckkontakt in Passivstellung,

Figur 13:

eine Ansicht gemäss Fig. 12, mit dem Steckkontakt etwa halbwegs vorgeschoben,

Figur 14:

eine Ansicht gemäss Fig. 12, mit dem Steckkontakt kurz vor der Einrastposition bei der Aktivstellung,

Figur 15:

eine Ansicht gemäss Fig. 12, mit dem Steckkontakt in der Aktivstellung eingerastet,

Figur 16:

eine Frontalansicht der Steckkontakte und ihrer Trägerteile,

Figur 17:

die Ansicht gemäss Figur 16 mit den Arretierkörpern und dem vorgeschobenen EU-Steckkontakt,

Figur 18:

die Ansicht gemäss Figur 16 mit den Arretierkörpern und dem vorgeschobenen AU-Steckkontakt,

Figur 19:

die Ansicht gemäss Figur 16 mit den Arretierkörpern und dem vorgeschobenen UK-Steckkontakt,

Figur 20:

die Ansicht gemäss Figur 16 mit den Arretierkörpern und dem vorgeschobenen US-Steckkontakt,

Figur 21:

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Mehrfachsteckers gemäss Figur 1 mit aufgesetzter Mehrfachsteckdose,

Figur 22:

den Mehrfachsteckers gemäss Fig. 21 mit weggeklappter Mehrfachsteckdose,

Figur 23:

den Mehrfachsteckers gemäss Figur 1 mit eingesetztem Schuko-Kragen,

Figur 24:

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines zweites Ausführungsbeispiels eines Mehrfachsteckers,

Figur 25:

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Steckkontakte im Innern des Gehäuses des zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels,

Figur 26:

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Steckerfläche des Mehrfachsteckers gemäss Figur 24,

Figur 27:

eine Ansicht der Steckerfläche des Mehrfachsteckers gemäss Fig. 24,

Figur 28:

zwei Ansichten der Steckerfläche eines dritten und eines vierten Ausführungsbeispiels eines Mehrfachsteckers,

Figur 29:

eine Darstellung der ineinander verschieblich angeordneten Steckkontakte,

Figur 30:

eine Ansicht der Betätigungsseite,

Figur 31:

eine Ansicht der Steckdosenseite,

Figur 32:

eine Ansicht der Release-Seite des Reisesteckers gemäss Fig. 24,

Figur 33:

eine Ansichte einer der verbleibenden zwei gegenüberliegenden Seiten,

Figur 34:

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Reisestecker-Sets mit einem Mehrfachstecker gemäss einer fünften Ausführungsform und einer in diesen einsteckbaren Mehrfachsteckdose,

Figuren 35 und 36:

Zwei Ansichten des Reisestecker-Sets gemäss Figur 35,

Figur 37:

eine Explosionsdarstellung des Mehrfachsteckers gemäss Figur 35 bis 37,

Figur 38:

eine Explosionsdarstellung der Mehrfachsteckdose gemäss Figuren 35 bis 37,

Figur 39:

die Anschlussleiter mit den Einsteckklemmen und der Zentralkörper zum Festhalten der Anschlussleiter mit darin vorgesehenen Einsteckbuchsen und Überlastungssicherung,

Figur 40:

einen Ausschnitt mit dem Steckkontakt der US-Norm in Passivstellung und dem von diesem Kontakt getrennten Anschlussleiter,

Figur 41:

einen Ausschnitt der Kontaktnahme des Steckkontakts der US-Norm mit einem Kontaktnehmer in der Klemme des Anschlussleiters,

Figur 42:

einen Schnitt senkrecht zur Symmetrieebene und parallel zur Schieberichtung der Steckkontakte durch das zusammengesteckte Reisestecker-Set gemäss Fig. 35 bis 42,

Figur 43:

ein Reisestecker-Set mit einem Mehrfachstecker, einem Spannungswandler und einer Mehrfachsteckdose,

Figur 44:

ein Reisestecker-Set mit einem Mehrfachstecker, einem Strom- und Spannungswandler und einer Mehrfachsteckdose.

Hereinafter, the subject invention will be described in more detail with reference to drawings. It shows

FIG. 1:

a perspective view of a multiple plug with four push-pull connectors of different standard and a socket for inserting plugs of different standard,

FIG. 2:

a view of the plug surface of the multiple plug according to Figure 1,

FIG. 3:

a view of the can side of the multiple plug according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 4:

a view of the release side of the multiple plug according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 5:

a view of the actuation side of the multiple plug according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 6:

an exploded perspective view of the components of the multiple plug according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 7:

an interior view of the connector surface with inserted connecting conductors and contact sockets,

FIG. 8:

a perspective view of the multiple plug with ejected EU plug,

FIG. 9:

a perspective view of the multiple plug with ejected AU plug,

FIG. 10:

a perspective view of the multiple plug with ejected UK plug,

FIG. 11:

a perspective view of the multiple plug with ejected US plug,

FIG. 12:

a view of the safety body with the UK plug contact in passive position,

FIG. 13:

a view according to FIG. 12, with the plug contact approximately halfway forward,

FIG. 14:

a view according to FIG. 12, with the plug contact shortly before the latching position in the active position,

FIG. 15:

a view according to FIG. 12, with the plug contact latched in the active position,

FIG. 16:

a front view of the plug contacts and their support parts,

FIG. 17:

the view according to FIG. 16 with the arresting bodies and the forward EU plug contact,

FIG. 18:

the view according to FIG. 16 with the arresting bodies and the advanced AU plug contact,

FIG. 19:

the view according to Figure 16 with the locking bodies and the advanced UK plug contact,

FIG. 20:

the view according to FIG. 16 with the arresting bodies and the forward US plug contact,

FIG. 21:

a perspective view of the multiple plug according to Figure 1 with attached multiple socket,

FIG. 22:

the multiple plug according to FIG. 21 with folded-down multiple socket,

FIG. 23:

the multiple plug according to FIG. 1 with inserted Schuko collar,

FIG. 24:

a perspective view of a second embodiment of a multiple plug,

FIG. 25:

a perspective view of the plug contacts in the interior of the housing of the second embodiment,

FIG. 26:

a perspective view of the plug surface of the multiple plug according to Figure 24,

FIG. 27:

a view of the plug surface of the multiple plug according to FIG. 24,

FIG. 28:

two views of the plug surface of a third and a fourth embodiment of a multiple plug,

FIG. 29:

a representation of the sliding contacts arranged in one another,

FIG. 30:

a view of the actuation side,

FIG. 31:

a view of the socket side,

FIG. 32:

a view of the release side of the travel plug according to FIG. 24,

FIG. 33:

a view of one of the remaining two opposite sides,

FIG. 34:

a perspective view of a travel plug set with a multi-pin according to a fifth embodiment and a plug-in in this multiple socket,

FIGS. 35 and 36:

Two views of the travel plug set according to FIG. 35,

Figure 37:

an exploded view of the multiple plug according to Figure 35 to 37,

Figure 38:

an exploded view of the multiple socket according to Figures 35 to 37,

FIG. 39:

the connection conductors with the plug-in terminals and the central body for holding the connection conductors with plug-in sockets and overload protection provided therein,

FIG. 40:

a section with the plug contact of the US standard in passive position and the separate terminal of this contact,

FIG. 41:

a detail of the contacting of the plug connector of the US standard with a contact in the terminal of the connection conductor,

Figure 42:

a section perpendicular to the plane of symmetry and parallel to the sliding direction of the plug contacts through the mated travel plug set according to FIG. 35 to 42,

FIG. 43:

a travel plug set with a multiple plug, a voltage converter and a multiple socket,

FIG. 44:

a travel plug set with a multiple plug, a current and voltage transformer and a multiple socket.

Detailed description of the figures:

The multiple plug according to FIGS. 1 to 23 is a first exemplary embodiment of a multiple plug for a travel plug set. The illustrated embodiment has four plug contacts of different standard, which are slidable into the housing and out of the housing and a socket for two connector standards, namely US and EU. The socket can also be designed for a different one from those shown, for a single or for more than two plug standards.

In Figure 1, the housing 13,15 is shown. The housing is composed of a main part 13 and a lid 15. The side shown is called actuation side 17, the upper side is the can side 19 with a recess at the bottom of a hole pattern of a socket 21 is formed on the actuating side 17 sliding slots 25 are formed through which the actuating pin 27 and from the outside slidable in the slot longitudinal direction are. Through the sliding slots 25 through the locking body 29 are visible.

Figure 2 shows the connector surface 31, which is arranged opposite the can side 19. In the main part 13, the plug surface 31 with the passage openings 33 for the Euro plug-in body 35 with the EU-contact pins 37, the pins 39, 41 and 43 of the US, AU and UK plug contacts and the electrically disconnected NC 45 of the UK -Steckkontakts trained. In the connector surface 31 and a removable fuse compartment 47 is provided.

In Figure 3, the can side 19 is shown. In the bottom of the recess, the hole pattern for a US and EU plug is formed. Behind the insertion holes 49 for the pins of this plug sockets 73,75 are provided, with which inserted pins are in electrical contact. In the bottom and in the edge 53 of the depression Einrastmittel 55 are provided, which cooperate with an attachable addition to the travel plug. FIG. 3 also shows a guide 57 for a guide pin 59 on the safety body described below.

FIG. 4 shows the release side 61 of the travel plug, which lies opposite the actuation side 13. Deviating from the cylindrical basic shape of the travel plug, its outer shape on the release side toward the plug surface is increasingly worn away. This results in a direction of insertion of the travel connector oblique surface 63. In this surface 63 an opening is provided through which a pusher or actuator button 65 protrudes. The pusher is part of the safety body. By pressure on the pusher 65, the safety body can be moved according to the scope that the guide 57 grants the guide pin 59. Thanks to the slope of the surface 63 of the security body can be inserted from the open side of the can 19 forth in the main part 13. The pusher 65 slides along the inside of the housing wall and falls into the provided in the inclined surface 63 opening.

FIG. 5 shows the actuating side 17 with the sliding slots 25 and the actuating pins of the four plug contacts which project through them. The longest sliding slot 25a is provided for the EU plug contact. In the adjacent slide slot 25b is the actuating pin 27b of the UK plug contact. In the subsequent slide slot 25c of the actuating pin 27c of the AU plug contact and last in the sliding slot 25d of the actuating pin 27d of the US plug contact visible. Through the sliding slots 25 through the locking body 29 are visible.

FIG. 6 now shows an overview of the parts of the travel plug. The housing 13,15 consists of a main part 13 and a lid 15. Main body and lid complement each other and surround all moving parts and the electrically conductive parts. When the housing is closed 13,15 only the fuse compartment 47 and the fuse 67 therein is removable.

Inside the housing 13,15, the three locking body 29 are arranged. These are mounted displaceably along the wall of the main part 13 on a circular arc and block each three of the four sliding slots 25. Further, a Euro plug-in body 35 is housed in the housing 13,15. In Euro plug-in body 35, the EU-contact pins 37 of the EU plug-in contact 38 are slidably mounted. The Euro plug-in body 35 has slots through which the connecting conductors 69 and 71 are guided to the EU-contact pins 37. Another connection conductor 70 is not guided to an EU pin. The connecting conductor 71 connects the one female connector 73 each with a contact pin each located in the active position plug contact. The contact pin 69 only connects one side of the fuse 67 with the other EU plug 37. The other side of the fuse is connected to the other socket 75. With the connection conductor 70, a connection of the second contact pins of the UK, the AU and the US plug contact is ensured.

In a simplified embodiment without a fuse, two identically shaped connecting conductors 71 can be used, which are in each case connected to one of the plug sockets 73, 75 in the reverse manner. In the assembled state of the travel plug, the connecting conductors are located directly on the inside of the plug surface 31 and in each case touch the contact pins of the plug-in contact brought into the active position.

In Figure 7, this inside of the connector surface 31 is shown on the main part 13 with the connecting conductors 69,70,71. We find at the top the holes 139 for the pins 39 of the US plug contact. Between these, the two connection conductors 71 and 70 are each arranged at a small distance from a hole 139. As the US plug-in contact advances, the leads 71, 70 are brought into contact with the US pins 39. The connecting conductors 71, 70 are then guided on the outer sides of the holes 141 of the AU contact pins 41, to finally affect on the inside of the holes 143 of the UK-contact pins 41. The one connecting conductor 70 ends at this point. The other connection conductor 71 is guided into the Euro plug-in body 35 into the outside of the one hole 137 for the EU contact pins 37. From the fuse compartment 47, the connecting conductor 69 is also guided through a slot in the wall of the Euro-Einsteckkörpers 35 into this and on the outside of the other hole 137 for the other EU-contact pin 37. The fuse 67 is connected via a pickup 77 on the fuse box 47 with the connection conductor 70 in contact. This electrical connection is made by screwing the fuse compartment 47 in the main part 13 or interrupted by unscrewing.

Returning to FIG. 6, further parts accommodated in the housing 13, 15 are to be described. The EU contact pins 37 are arranged on an EU support member 38 and together with this form the EU plug contact 138. Arranged on the UK support member 44 pins 43 and the opener 45 together with the support member 44 together the UK plug contact 144th Der Opener 45 may be made of plastic or metal. The AU contact pins 41 together with the AU support part 42 together form the AU plug contact 142 and the US contact pins with the US support part on which they are arranged are the US plug contact 140. The carrier parts 38,40,42,44 are guided with the actuating pin 27 in the sliding slots 25 in the main body 13. In addition, the carrier parts 40,42,44 are guided on guide rods 79 visible in FIG. The cylindrical guide rods 79 protrude for this purpose by formed in the support parts round holes 78 (Fig. 16). Similarly, the Euro male body 35 is guided on a rod 80. The EU plug contact 137 is guided on the Euro plug-in body 35 with guide lugs 82 (FIG. 16).

On a safety body 81 holding rods 83 are formed. The support rods 83 secure the plug-in contact in the active position against unintentional pushing back from the active position. For this purpose, the safety body 81 is resiliently mounted. The spring 85 pushes the safety body in its initial position in which it secures the active position of a plug contact. From this position, it can be pressed against the spring force, so that then the located in the active position plug contact can be pushed into the housing 13,15.

Figures 8 to 11 show the travel plug with one of the four plug contacts in the active position. In FIG. 8, the EU plug contact 138, in FIG. 9 the AU plug contact 142, in FIG. 10 the UK plug contact 144 and in FIG. 11 the US plug contact 140 in the active position. The locking body 29 in the interior of the housing 13,15 are pushed by the actuating pin 27 of the advanced plug contact each side so that they cover the adjacent sliding slots 25. This not only provides protection against forcing two plug contacts simultaneously, but also makes it difficult to long with a needle or other thin and conductive object through the sliding slots 25 into the interior of the housing 13,15 and to a live part.

Figures 12 to 15 illustrate a function of the safety body. Shown are two support rods 83 of the safety body 81 and a part of the UK support member 44 with the opener 45. The safety body has a rear wall 87 from which the support rods 83 project vertically. The rear wall is parallel to the inside of the wall with the socket 21 in the recess in the lid 15 and has openings, not shown, through which extends a plugged into the socket in the lid 15 plug into the sockets 73,75. The safety body 81 is by pressure on the pusher 65 parallel to the rear wall 87 against the socket resiliently displaceable. A function, not shown, of the safety body is that it can only be displaced as long as no plug is inserted in the socket. By a shift of the Security body 81, the openings in the rear wall 87 are moved relative to the insertion holes 49 of the socket and the insertion holes 49 at least partially hidden, so that only a plug can be inserted into the travel plug when the safety body is pressed by the spring 85 in its initial position.

Shown is the second function of the safety body, namely the securing of a plug contact in the active position. In FIG. 12, the plug contact 144 is supplied with the carrier part 44 in contact with the rear wall 87 of the safety body 81, that is to say in the passive position in the housing 13, 15 of the travel plug. In this position, the support member 44 is seated in a rear end 90. In Figure 13, the plug contact 144 is advanced by a distance in the direction of active position. In the executed displacement slide sliding surfaces 89 on the support member 44 obliquely to the direction of displacement directed guide surfaces 91 on the support rods 83. Since the plug contact 144 is guided on a guide rod 79 on the main body 13, the safety body is pushed against the spring force of the spring 85 to the side. By this displacement plugging a plug can be prevented in the travel plug as described above.

As shown in Figure 14, this displacement of the safety body 82 is limited. The oblique guide surface 91 merges into a holding surface 93 extending in the direction of displacement. Only after completion of the displacement of the plug contact 144 in the active position (Figure 15), the safety body 81 back to its original position. This is possible, thanks to the retainer on the opposite to the holding surface 93 recessed terminal 95 is formed. In the active position, the support member 44 of the plug contact 144 sits in the terminal 95. The recess of the terminal allows the safety body 81 can be moved back from the spring 85 to its normal position. Through the recess of the terminal a stop is formed, on which the support member 44 abuts and is thus secured against being pushed back. Together, guide surface 91, holding surface 93 and end point 95 form a guide side for guiding the carrier part 44 on the holding rod 83.

In an analogous manner, the EU, AU and US plug contacts also interact with the security body 81. In Figure 16, the four plug contacts 138,140,142,144 with the contact pins 37,39,41,43, the opener 45 and the support members 38,40,42,44 are shown. Each carrier part has an actuating bolt 27a, b, c, d and at least one Sliding surface 89. The carrier parts 40 and 44 of US plug contact 140 and UK plug contact 144 have two sliding surfaces 89. The sliding surfaces 89 each cooperate with the guide side of a holding rod 83 on the safety body 81. There are four support rods 81 are provided, with two of them each with both the UK and with the US support member 144, respectively. 140 interact.

From Figures 17 to 20, the positions of the three identical locking body 29 in the four different cases can be seen, in each of which a different plug contact in the active position or at least not in passive position. In FIG. 17, the EU plug contact 138 is in the active position. In the direction of displacement of the locking body 29, these are arranged side by side. They are all shifted together by the actuating pin 27a to the US plug contact. A locking body 29 extends from the edge of a sliding slot 25 to the corresponding edge of the adjacent sliding slot 25. As a result, the lowermost locking body 29 blocks the sliding slot 25b and pushes the middle locking body 29 together with the uppermost locking body 29 on. These obstruct the sliding slots 27c and 27d.

In FIG. 18, the AU plug contact 142 is in the active position. The lowermost arresting body 29 therefore covers the sliding slot 27a, the two other arresting bodies are in the same position as in FIG. 17. They are held in this position by the actuating bolt 27b.

Accordingly, in Figure 19, the UK plug contact 144 in the active position and in Figure 20, the UK plug contact 140. The locking body are each urged by the actuating pin from the region of the sliding slot for the respective actuating pin and cover due to their size and displaceability, the adjacent sliding slots ,

FIG. 16 also shows how the connection conductors 69, 70, 71 in the active position of the plug contacts 138, 140, 142, 144 are pressed against the contact pins 37, 39, 41, 43. Directly adjacent to the contact pins 37, 39, 41, 43, a groove 97 is formed in the carrier parts 38, 40, 42, 44, the base 99 of which adjoins the contact pin. From the bottom 99, a contact surface 101 rises away from the contact pin. The groove 97 is therefore narrower at its bottom 99 than at its opening side. The connecting conductors 70 and 71 are in advancing the plug contact in its active position by the converging against the contact pin contact surface 101 of the groove wall to the Contact pin guided. This is the case with the US, UK and AU plug contacts. When EU plug contact 138, the contact pins 37 are formed from behind to the top converging. The connection conductors 69 and 71 are also held in slots in the Euro plug-in body 35. These slots have a slot edge extending towards the EU contact pin 37 at a shallow angle. This serves as a contact surface for pressing the connecting conductor to the contact pin 37th

Various accessories can be placed on the travel plug. In Figure 21, a multiple socket 103 is inserted into the recess of the socket. This multiple socket 103 has a visible in Figure 22 connector surface from the two pins 107 protrude. These pins are inserted into the holes 49 of the socket of the multiple plug and then in contact with the sockets 73,75. The multiple socket 103 has a hole pattern on its visible side in Fig. 21, which allows to insert a UK, US, or AU plug. It is possible to pick up the movement of the guide pin 59 and inside the multiple socket 103 to take over the safety function of the safety body 81 by a disc in the multiple socket is moved with the movement and thus the socket holes are also at least partially hidden. In the multiple socket can also be provided only with the opener of a UK plug operable closure for the socket holes. The multiple socket can be pivotally hinged to the multiple plug.

By providing additions such as this multiple socket 103 or the Schuko-collar 105 shown in Figure 23, z.T. contrary to requirements. The multiple socket 103 allows the insertion of connectors with a relatively large area protruding contact pins. This can e.g. be in the case of current transformers with US plug-in design. On the other hand, the Schuko collar guarantees the lateral coverage of the inserted Schuko plug prescribed by the German standard.

With a suitable design of the multiple socket 103, the Schuko-collar 105 may also be arranged either in the recess or on the projecting into the recess part of the additional adapter. When mounted multiple socket Schuko collar is in the sequence between the lid 15 and the multiple socket 103rd

Not shown is another addition, namely a current transformer for plugging into the socket of the multiple plug. This is advantageously adapted to the shape of the multiple plug and uses the space in the recess in the lid 15th

The multiple plug according to Figures 24 to 34 is a preferred development of the first embodiment described above. The ingredients are essentially the same, but some beneficial changes have been introduced.

From Figure 24, two changes can be seen, namely a supplementary rib 201, which complements the plug side 31 to a closed circular shape, so that the distances between the edge of the plug side 31 and the holes 137,139,141,143 for the plug contacts with respect to an axis of symmetry of the hole pattern are the same on both sides. Further, in the recess 21 of the socket, a recess 203 is formed, into which the tip of the opener of an inserted into the multiple socket 103 connector British standard projects. As a result, the insertion depth provided in the multiple socket can be minimized.

In Figure 25, the plug contacts 138,140,142,144 are shown, as they are stacked in the second embodiment. Adjacent UK-144 and EU plug 138 are arranged, the support member 44 of the UK plug contact 144 is C-shaped and embraces both other plug contacts, the US plug 140 and the AU plug contact 142. Between these is a free space, in which both the overload protection and the plug-in sockets 73,75 of the socket are arranged.

In Figures 26 and 27, the plug side 31 of the second embodiment is shown. It is noticeable that unlike the first embodiment, the US pins 39 are further moved away from the edge. The US plug contact 139 is arranged in this embodiment between the opener 45 and the contact pins 43 of the UK plug contact 144. In addition, the completed and symmetrical rounding of the edge of the supplemented with the supplementary rib side of the connector is shown. Further possible arrangements of the plug contacts are shown in the figure 28, in which two variants are shown with reversed arranged AU and US plug contacts.

Figure 29 shows the interaction of the various plug contacts. Each plug contact is guided directly or indirectly with a guide rod 79. This sits in a recess 78 in the carrier part of the plug contact or in the male body 35th Die Recess 78 is the guide rod 79 according to a round hole. In addition, the plug contacts are guided together. Thus, the opener 45 and the contact pins 43 of the UK plug contact forms a guide for the carrier parts of the US or the AU plug contact. The EU plug contact is guided within the male body 31. The UK plug in turn is guided on the housing 13,15.

In the figures 30 to 34, the views of the second embodiment are shown, which have substantially no changes from the views of the first embodiment. The only difference is the supplementary rib 201 in Figures 32, 33 and 34, the recess 203 in Figure 31 and the fact that the affiliation of the actuating pins 27c and 27d has changed. The outermost actuating pin 27d is for actuating the UK plug contact, the second 27c for actuating the US plug contact.

The travel plug set according to FIGS. 34 to 42 is a preferred embodiment. The multiple plug of this set differs from the multi-pin according to Figures 1 to 23 in the type of contact between plug contacts and connecting conductor. The connector image corresponds to that shown in FIG. The plug contact 140 according to the US standard is therefore arranged between opener 45 and contact pins 43 of the UK plug contact 144.

Next, the multiple socket 103 has a locking mechanism for the UK socket, which releases in a known manner the sockets for UK plug contacts after insertion of the opener in the opening provided for the opener. The shutter mechanism will be explained below with reference to FIG. The multiple socket 103 fits volumetrically in the recess of the multiple plug 11 and forms a level outlet with insertion holes for UK, US and AU plugs. Since the multiple plug has an EU plug compatible socket, it is not necessary to use the standard with the multiple socket, if this would be readily possible. The hole patterns of the individual standards are pushed into one another in such a way that no insertion opening overlaps with another insertion opening.

For insertion into the multiple plug 11, the multiple socket 103 has two pins 107, which fit into the socket of the multiple plug 11. On at least one of the pins 107 a latching nose 109 is formed. The latching nose 109 makes it impossible to plug the power strip into a socket of a national or regional standard. Therefore, it is possible to form the insertion holes continuously so that they are terminated by the bottom of the socket 21 on the multiple plug. The opener of an inserted UK plug even extends into the recess 203 in the bottom of the can.

In Figure 37, the parts of the multiple plug 11 are shown in an exploded view. Corresponding parts are as indicated in Figure 6, even if the parts have a different shape. Compared to the parts in the corresponding representation in FIG. 6, the following parts are formed distinctly differently: The removable securing compartment 47 according to FIG. 6 consists newly of a safety compartment 47 provided inside the multiple plug 11 and a closure cover 147. The safety compartment 47 is formed in the base part 13 (FIG. compare Fig. 42). Therein, an overload protection 67 is arranged. The fuse compartment 47 is surrounded by a central body 111. In the central body the plug-in sockets 73,75 are housed. The central body 111 is clamped between the cover 15 and the base part 13. In the central body 111, the electrical connection parts between the connection conductors 171,172, the plug-in sockets 73,75 and the overload protection 67 are housed. Outside the central body, the displaceably mounted plug contacts are arranged. The overload fuse 67 is connected in the fifth embodiment according to Figures 35 to 42 such that all plug contacts are secured. For this purpose, the metal part forming the plug-in socket 75 is inserted in one connecting conductor 172, while the metal part forming the other plug-in socket 73 is in contact with the rear end of the overload fuse 67. In FIG. 42, the part 113 producing this connection is in pretension, and therefore erroneously connected to the Overload protection overlapped. The front end of the overload protection 67 is in contact with an insert 115 in the closure cover 147, which insert 115 comes into contact with the connection conductor 171 when the closure cover 147 is screwed into the main part 13.

Improved in this embodiment, the leadership of the locking body 29. These are now the outside of the housing, the inside of an inner gate 117 out. This gate 117 is formed both on the lid 15 as well as on the base part 13. A directed in the direction of displacement of the locking body 29 intermediate space which prevents together with a rib on the locking body 29 that this is displaceable in a direction other than transverse to the sliding direction of the plug contacts (see Fig .. 42).

It is further improved that the male body 35 is guided in a dovetail 135 in the base part 13. In addition, a driver 139 is formed on the EU plug contact 138, which retracts the male body 35 when the EU plug contact 138 is moved from the active to the passive position. The safety body 81 is further guided with a dovetail on the lid 15.

An improved contact between the plug contacts 138, 140, 142 and 144 and the connecting conductors 171, 172 on the plug-side housing wall is shown in Figures 39 to 41. The connection conductors 171, and 172 are pressed with the central body 111 against the housing wall. The connection conductors 171 and 172 each have 4 terminals 175. These terminals 175 have an insertion region and a clamping region. At the plug contacts, or their support members 38,40,42 and 44 (shown is only the US plug contact 140 with the support member 40) are two contact 177, one for each contact pin 39 is formed. These contactors 177 are in electrical connection with a contact pin 39. When advancing the plug contact 140 reach the contact 177 at the end of the sliding movement in the terminals 175. Thanks to the insertion area at the terminals 175 of the contact 177 against a small clamping resistance in the terminal 175th be introduced. The clamping force of terminal 175 ensures the electrical connection. However, this is given only in the case of a plug contact in the active position (FIG. 41). When plug contact in the passive position (Figure 40) connecting conductor 171,172 and the contact 177 are always disconnected.

It can be seen from the exploded view of the multiple socket 103 according to FIG. 38 that the multiple socket is composed of a plug part 181, a socket part 182 and a slide 185, as well as the electrically conductive parts. On the plug part 181 two pins 107 are formed. The pins are made of plastic. In its interior, a current collector 183 is inserted into a cavity. This establishes the connection to the inserted plugs. To achieve this, a contact spring is formed on each current collector 183 for each insertion opening. These sit in the plug-in sockets and contact the inserted pins on one Side of the contact pin. Between the formed in the plug part 181 plug-in sockets a slider 185 is slidably mounted. This slider 185 covers the insertion according to UK standard. The opener of a UK plug presses when inserted against an inclined sliding surface on the slider 185 and pushes it against the force of an integrally formed on the slide spring 187 from the openings for the UK contact pins closing position.

In the multiple socket 103 a reserve overload fuse 167 is also housed.

In Figure 42, the travel plug set is shown plugged together. It can be seen in this figure that the latching nose 109 engages on the rear wall 87 of the safety body 81. The electrical connections from the connection conductors 171, 172 via the overload protection 67 to the plug-in sockets according to the US standard are also evident as already described. Furthermore, the continuity of the insertion openings from the front of the multiple socket to the back of the multiple socket is visible.

FIGS. 43 and 44 schematically show two extended travel connector sets. On the left is the multiple plug 11, shown here with only three sliding plug contacts. Opposite the push-out plug contacts one of two plug-in sockets 73, 75 is shown. In these plug-in sockets 73,75, the contact pins 189 or pins of the voltage converter 191 can be inserted. Inside the voltage converter, the voltage is changed. The voltage converter may measure the voltage of the connected power supply and automatically switch to a set voltage. This desired voltage is connected to the plug-in sockets of the voltage converter. This can now be tapped with the pins 107 of the multiple socket 103 and is available in the plug-in sockets of the multiple socket available.

The voltage converter can also be combined with a current transformer. This is shown in FIG. In addition to the described function of the voltage converter for the power supply units, a DC connection 195 for a low-voltage receiver is present at the current converter 193. The voltage of the outgoing direct current is adjustable. In a simplification, the current transformer 193 has no plug-in sockets for the multiple socket 103, but only a DC low-voltage terminal 195. In another variant, the current transformer has in addition to DC connection a plug-in socket, which is connected to the voltage picked up by the multiple plug 11 in the mains socket. In this case, the current transformer 193 and a voltage converter 191 can be connected in series.

List of reference numbers:

11 Multiple plug 13 Main part of the housing 15 Cover of the housing 17 Operating side of the multiple plug 19 Can side of the multiple plug 21 Reason for the socket on the multiple plug 25 Sliding slots on the actuation side on the housing, a, b, c, d according to reference numeral 27th 27 Actuating bolt, extension 27a Actuating pin of EU plug contact 27b Actuating pin of AU plug contact 27c Actuator pin of the UK or US plug contact 27d Actuator pin of the US or UK plug contact 29 detent 31 Plug side, plug face of the multiple plug 33 Through openings in the connector surface 31st 35 Plug-in body of the EU plug 37 Contact pins of the EU plug contact 38 Carrier part of the EU plug contact 39 Contact pins of the US plug contact 40 Carrier part of the US plug contact 41 Contact pins of the AU plug contact 42 Carrier part of the AU plug contact 43 Contact pins of the UK plug-in contact 44 Carrier part of the UK plug contact 45 Opener of the UK plug 47 fuse compartment 49 Insertion holes in plug side of the multiple plug 53 Edge of the recess for socket in multiple plug 55 Snap-in device for Schuko ring 57 Guide on the housing for guide pins on the safety body 59 Guide pins on the safety body 61 Release page of the multiple plug 63 Slanted surface on the housing on the release side 65 Pusher of the release body 67 overload protection 69 connecting conductors 70 connecting conductors 71 connecting conductors 73 socket 75 socket 77 77 Pickup in lid of the fuse compartment 79 Corporate Office 80 Rod, guide for EU plug-in body 81 safety body 83 Retaining rods on the safety body 85 Spring for cushioning the movement of the safety body 87 Rear wall of the safety body 89 Sliding surfaces on the support parts 90 Rear terminal on support rods 83 91 Sliding surface on the support rod 93 Holding surface on the guide rod 95 Front terminal on the management staff 97 Groove for receiving a connection conductor 99 Reason of the groove 97 101 Contact surface of the groove 97 for pressing a connecting conductor to the contact pin 103 Multiple socket, additional adapter 105 Shock-collar 107 Connection pins of the multiple socket, for plugging into the socket of the multiple plug 109 Snap-in nose on the pin of the multiple socket 111 Central body in multiple plug 113 the connection between the overload protection and plug-in socket producing part 115 electrically conductive insert in the closure lid 147 117 Setting for guiding the locking body 29th 138 EU plug contact 140 US plug contact 142 AU plug contact 144 UK-plug contact 171 connecting conductors 172 connecting conductors 175 Terminals on the connecting conductors 177 Contactor on the support parts of the plug contacts for insertion into the terminals 175th 181 Plug part of the multiple socket 103 183 Pantograph in the pins 107 185 Slider for closing the insertion openings for the UK plug 187 Spring on slide 185 189 Connection pins of the voltage transformer or current transformer 191 DC converter 193 Power converter 195 DC power connector 201 supplement rib 203 Recess in the socket side of the multiple plug for the tip of a plugged into the multiple socket opener 45th

Claims (10)

1. A mains plug for inserting into a mains socket, with a housing (13, 15) and, displaceably mounted in the housing(13, 15), at least two plug contacts(138, 140, 142, 144) of a different standard, which in each case comprise two electrically conductive contact pins (37, 39, 41, 43), said contact pins(37, 39, 41, 43) capable of being pushed along a sliding path into an active position out of the housing(13, 15) as well as into a passive position into the housing(13, 15), with at least one locking body (29), which is movable with respect to the housing (13, 15) and the plug contacts (138, 140, 142, 144), and by way of a plug contact(138, 140, 142, 144) outside the passive position, is fixed in a position in which the locking body or bodies is arranged on the sliding paths of the remaining plug contacts (138, 140, 142, 144) and by way of this prevents a sliding of a further plug contact (138, 140, 142, 144) from the passive position into the active position,
   characterised in that
   the locking body (29) is displaceable into said position, in which it prevents a sliding of a further plug contact (138, 140, 142, 144) into the active position by sliding a plug contact (138, 140, 142, 144) into the active position.
2. A mains plug according to claim 1, characterised in that each plug contact (138, 140, 142, 144) comprises a carrier part (38, 40, 42, 44) which is displaceably mounted on the housing (13, 15) and on which the contact pins (37, 39, 41, 43) are arranged and a projection (2 7) is arranged, said projection (27) as an actuation lever projecting through a slide slot (25) formed in the housing (13, 15), onto the outer side of the housing (13, 15).
3. A mains plug according to claim 2, characterised in that a hole-like recess is formed in the carrier part (40, 42, 44), and that a rod-like guide (79) cooperating with the recess (78), for at least one of the plug contacts(140,142,144), is formed on the housing (11)
4. A mains plug according to claim 2 or 3, characterised by a plurality of locking bodies (29) which are capable of being moved independently of one another and which are arranged and guided next to one another, and that the dimensions and the freedom of movement of the parts is dimensioned in a manner such that a single projection (27) on a carrier part of a single plug contact (138, 140, 142, 144) has space in one of the intermediate spaces between the locking bodies (29), so that the locking bodies (29) at the other intermediate spaces abut one another in succession.
5. A mains plug according to claim 4, characterised in that the locking bodies (29) are guided on a circular path.
6. A mains plug according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that connection leads (13, 15) are present in the housing (13, 15), and that a connection between the connection leads (69, 70, 71, 171, 172) and the contact pins of this plug contact is present, said connection capable of being closed and disconnected again by way of displacing each plug contact, so that each connection lead (69, 70, 71, 171, 172) is electrically connected to a contact pin on a plug contact (138, 140, 142, 144) located in the active position, and is electrically separated from a contact pin of each plug contact (138, 140, 142, 144) located in the passive position.
7. A mains plug according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by a single safety body (81) which is movable between a release and fixation position and which in the release position permits a sliding of each plug contact, but in the fixation position however fixes each plug contact in the passive position or the active position
8. A mains plug according to claim 7, characterised in that the safety body (81) is displaceably mounted and comprises a number of retaining rods (38) arranged transversely to the displacement direction, that the retaining rods (83) on a guiding side of the retaining rods (83) which is directed transversely to the sliding direction of the safety body (81), cooperate with carrier parts (38,40,42,44) of the plug contacts (138, 140, 142, 144), that in each case at the front and rear a recessed end location (90, 95) is formed on this guide side of the retaining rods (83).
9. A mains plug according to claim 8, characterised in that the guide surface runs obliquely towards the rear end location (90), and at the front end location (95) forms a shoulder directed parallel to the sliding direction of the safety body (81).
10. A mains plug according to one of the claims 7 to 9, characterised in that the safety body (81) comprises an actuation head (65) which projects to the outside through an opening in the housing (13, 15) and is resiliently mounted with respect to the housing (13, 15).

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