EP3316422A1 - Comfortable to operate travel adapter - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a travel plug adapter, which is also referred to herein briefly as a travel plug. With the help of such an adapter, power plugs of a specific (domestic) standard can be plugged into the existing outlets at the place of travel. In particular, there is a travel plug adapter (10) having a housing, a plug receptacle (16) and at least a first connector (38,84) of a first standard and a second connector (28, 86) of a second standard, each plug a Actuating slide (22, 24) is associated, which is guided by a sliding slot (42) of the housing to the outside and for moving the plug between a standby position, in which the plug is located substantially within the housing, and a use position in which the plug is usefully located outside the housing, and wherein the first plug (38, 84) is associated with a first blocking element (106A) so that displacement of the first plug (38, 84) between the ready position and the use position is blocked, when movement of the first blocking member (106A) is blocked and wherein the second connector (28, 86) has a second blocking member (106B) associated therewith t is, so that the displacement of the second connector (28, 86) between the standby position and the use position is blocked when the movement of the second blocking element (106B) is blocked, characterized in that there is further provided at least one blocking slide (100A) in a first position releases the path of the first blocking element (106A) and a second position blocks the path of the first blocking element (106A), the second blocking element (106B) acting on the position of the blocking slide (100A).

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a travel plug adapter, which is also referred to herein briefly as a travel plug. With the help of such an adapter, power plugs of a specific (domestic) standard can be plugged into the existing outlets at the place of travel. For this purpose, the travel plug adapter requires a plug receptacle first standard and a power plug of another standard. In the present case, it is more accurate to travel plug adapters that allow plugging into sockets at least a first and a second standard. For this purpose, in the travel plug adapter mains plug of a first and a second standard can be used alternatively.

Background of the invention

Travel plugs or travel plugs of this type are increasingly used in times of increasing global travel and business. There is therefore a need for compact, well portable travel plug adapters that are suitable for power outlets of several different standards.

The Chinese patent application CN 101872911 A discloses a travel plug adapter with a substantially circular housing. Housing connectors are housed inside the housing, which can be selected and pushed out of the housing. In this way, at least three different types of power connectors can be used. The selection of the desired power plug is done by the upper housing part is rotated relative to the lower housing part. The upper housing part has a single outwardly projecting actuating slide. This actuating slide can be brought into engagement with different power plug elements. He will do so by twisting into a position placed above the out of the housing herauszuschiebenden power plug.

This travel plug may be useful for many purposes. However, it would be desirable to provide a travel plug that is even easier to use. In particular, it appears advantageous if different controls are assigned to different plugs, and the plug can be transferred directly into the use position by operating the associated control element.

The German patent DE 10 2011 014 920 B4 discloses another travel plug, which is referred to as a universal plug adapter. In this travel plug several plug pin sets are provided in an outer housing. Each pin set is connected to a keypad with which it can be moved from the outside. The controls are guided through sliding slots in the housing. The control units are additionally guided by a provided inside the outer housing locking plate. This locking plate has a backdrop through which recesses, the controls can move. The scenery provides an upper and a lower end position. The locking plate is resiliently biased so that a control panel can be held firmly in the upper or in the lower end position. The control panel and thus the corresponding pin set can be released from the end positions and moved up or down by an externally provided next to the controls additionally provided selector lever is actuated. By pressing this selector lever, the blocking plate is moved against the spring force. This allows the pins to be moved from their upper or lower end position using the keypads.

In this solution, the outer keypads are used both to transfer the pin sets from a first end position, a standby position, in a second end position, a use position, as well as, to lock the pin sets in these positions. The disadvantage of this is that during the movement of the pin sets by the controls in addition the selector must be operated. This is a convenient one-handed operation in the way. Incidentally, the controls occupy much space on the connector surface. This stands in the way of a free design-oriented design and the achievement of a compact design.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved travel plug adapter which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art. The travel adapter should be inexpensive and reliable to produce, easy to transport and operate and provide high electrical safety.

The travel plug adapter according to the invention has a housing which can have different shapes. For example, a cuboid shape is usually convenient for transport. The mechanics of the travel plug adapter is, however, designed so that the housing form can be chosen largely freely. It is advantageous if the housing has at least one flat side, but the mechanism can also be adapted to curved housing surfaces. The housing can be made in one piece or in several parts. It has proved to be expedient to carry out the housing in two parts, namely with a housing lower part and a housing upper part. Both can be releasably connected to each other, for example by mechanical means, expediently by a screw connection.

The housing should have at least one connector receptacle. This is expediently provided on the housing top. Depending on the type of male power plug (hereafter short: plug), the plug receptacle may have different shapes. For example, if a Schuko plug is to be received, the plug receptacle will have a substantially cylindrical recess and beyond Contact sockets for receiving the contact pins of the Schuko plug. Other types of plugs do not require a pit or pit. It may be expedient to provide a flat housing top, in which a plurality of contact sockets are provided. As a rule, at least two contact sockets should be provided, which form a pair of contact sockets for receiving a plug of a standard. It may be appropriate to provide multiple pairs of female contact to accommodate several plugs of different standard. If the plugs also have grounding and the plug receptacle to provide the possibility of grounding, it is usually necessary to provide per male plug and a third contact socket or a third contact.

The travel plug adapter should further comprise at least one plug of a first standard and a second plug of a second standard. (Such connectors are sometimes referred to as pin sets.) The plug of the first standard may be, for example, an EU plug and the plug of the second standard to a US plug. The plug can be bipolar, that is ungrounded, or even three-pole, so that a ground pole can be provided. The present travel plug adapter is therefore suitable for use in more than one country. Suitably and usually also required, when the first connector and the second connector are used only as an alternative.

The travel plug adapter may also include three or more plugs. Travel plug adapters with three or four plugs have proven to be very useful. At least one of the plugs, but generally all the plugs, can be brought from a standby position, in which the plug is located substantially in the housing, into a use position. In the use position, the plug is usable completely or at least partially outside the housing. It is often possible for the plug to be completely moved back into the housing during the return to the ready position. It is useful that the plug at least as far back into the housing can be moved that he is not in the way other plugs.

The first plug is connected to an actuating slide for its transfer from the ready position to the use position. The second plug is also connected to an actuating slide for its transfer from the ready position to the use position. Thus, the travel plug adapter has at least a first actuating slide and a second actuating slide. The actuating slide can be conveniently carried out like a button, so that they can be easily moved with a finger. Sliding slots are provided in the housing for the actuation slides. You can also connect sliding slots together, so that there is a guide link for the operating slide. It is expedient, as a rule, to provide one slide slot per actuation slide and to arrange these slide slots parallel to one another.

At the travel plug adapter, a selection slide can be provided, which can be brought at least in a first position and a second position. This selection slide is alternatively in its first position, the first connector or in its second position the second connector for transfer to the use position free. He has for this purpose a blocking element, as a blocking element can serve for example cams, which engage in the displacement track. In the context of the present invention, however, it is not necessary to provide such a selector slide. It is optional and may be used in addition to the means described later.

Since the travel plug adapter should always be made compact, the actuators are usually close together. It may therefore be easy for a finger, for example, not to be placed exactly on the actuation slide, and an adjacent actuation slide accidentally could be shifted. Since the present invention but only the operation of a plug and thus (usually) also an actuating slide is made possible, the accidentally mitzuührt actuating slide does not move (or he does not move at least the associated connector). This makes the operation of the travel plug adapter more forgiving.

It is expedient, as mentioned, when the housing of the travel plug adapter has sliding slots or similar recesses. The actuators can run in these slide slots. It can also be additionally provided a sliding slot for a selection slide. Slide slots allow the movement of a slider while guiding. They thus represent an advantageous and inexpensive mechanical solution. Since usually several actuation slides are provided on the travel plug adapter, it is particularly advantageous if they can be guided in a simple manner in sliding slots. In the context of the present invention, the actuating slide only the movement of the plug, usually cause an up or down movement. The actuating slide must (unlike other conventional adapters) not necessarily provide for the locking of the plug in the use position or cause only one plug can be selected at a time. Inasmuch as the actuators in the present invention are allowed to perform one function only, they can be easily and reliably guided in slide slots. If an actuating slide, for example, spring-loaded, the guide would be in a sliding slot usually less user-friendly, the slider was prone to tilting, would be "hakelig" and would certainly have a higher resistance.

A travel plug adapter may expediently have at least one first plug of a first standard and a second plug of a second standard. Each plug is associated with an actuating slide.

Furthermore, each plug should be assigned a blocking element, that is to say the first plug a first blocking element and the second plug a second blocking element. This blocking element causes the displacement of the plug between the ready position and the use position is blocked when the movement of the blocking element is blocked.

Furthermore, at least one blocking slide is provided, which releases the path of the first blocking element in a first position and obstructs the path of the first blocking element in a second position. In this case, the second blocking element act on the position of the blocking slide. The at least one blocking slide can thus interact with the first and the second blocking element in such a way that the movement of at least one blocking element is blocked.

As explained, it is already desirable for safety reasons that only alternatively the first plug or the second plug can be transferred to the use position. To achieve this, so a certain interaction between the plugs is required. This interaction is mediated by the blocking slide in the context of the present invention. Because the second blocking element acts on the position of the blocking slide, it can ensure that the blocking slide blocks the displacement of the first blocking element and thus of the first connector.

The blocking slide can be guided in various ways, for example, it could run on a rod which engages around the carriage, or it could also be supported by other housing parts, such as a housing wall. It is useful if the blocking slide is guided on a sliding track. This track supports the slide to one side, it can also include U-shaped, so offer about the bottom of a train and at the same time the offer an additional guide opposite sides of the blocking slide.

It is also expedient if the at least one blocking slide is resiliently biased towards one end of the displacement track. The blocking slide is then pressed so permanently against the end of the displacement track. This can be conveniently achieved with a spring at the opposite end of the sliding track, for example with a coil spring. The biasing of the blocking carriages causes them to always be held in predetermined positions at one end of the sliding track.

Especially when several blocking carriages are used on the sliding track, the position of the gaps between two blocking carriages is thus also predetermined. A blocking element can engage in such a gap between the blocking carriages. This allows the plug associated with the blocking element to be transferred to the use position.

It is expedient that when engaging a blocking element in a gap between two blocking slide or between a blocking slide and an end piece of the sliding track, the engagement of another blocking element in such a gap is not possible. Accordingly, it is expedient that the length of the displacement track is dimensioned so that in each case only the engagement of a blocking element in a gap between locking slide is possible.

It is expedient if the at least one blocking slide (or possibly all blocking slides) are arranged above the slide slots. As a result, the sliding slots remain free of blocking elements. On the one hand, this means a clean picture of the slide slots and thus of the travel plug adapter as a whole. On the other hand, this can be partially Avoid immersion of plugs and associated actuators in the slide slots. This partial immersion leads to an unclear and often confusing connector position.

In addition, this arrangement allows to make the travel plug adapter compact. In this sense, it is also expedient to arrange the at least one blocking slide (or possibly all blocking slides) behind the sliding slots.

It is also expedient if at least one first blocking slide of a first length and a second blocking slide of a second length are used, wherein the second blocking slide is longer than the first slide. In this way it is possible to compensate for different distances between the sliding slots, it is also possible to accommodate blocking elements of different thickness or, based on individual blocking elements, to prevent the immersion of the blocking element in a gap between the blocking sleds particularly effective.

The blocking elements can be designed in various convenient ways. The plugs typically have guide elements, for example a support beam. The blocking element can be firmly connected to such a guide element or possibly an element attached to the guide element. For example, the blocking element may have the shape of a cam or a flag. In this case, the blocking element can also be made in one piece with the corresponding guide element. The blocking element is, however, a different element from the actuator.

It is also expedient to carry out the blocking elements as separate components, that is, as a rule, elements which have a mobility independent of the movement of the guide elements. The blocking elements are preferably also movable separately. For example, the Blocking elements are designed as a lever, in particular as a tiltable lever. The axis of rotation of such tiltable lever can be aligned parallel to the axis of displacement of the blocking slide on the sliding track. It is expedient, for example, if the tiltable lever have a cam, which can engage in a groove of a guide element of the plug.

It is advantageous if the at least one blocking element (or possibly all blocking elements) are connected to a control lever which allows or blocks the transfer of the at least one blocking element (or possibly all blocking elements) into the open position. The control lever or finger can be designed as a separate element and connected to the blocking element or be designed in one piece with the blocking element. For example, a U-shaped lever has been proven, one end of the lever has an element or in particular a nose, which can interact with the plug or in particular a support element of the plug. The other end of the U-shaped lever can then serve as a control lever or finger. The control levers or fingers may engage a locking mechanism, in particular a locking slide of a locking mechanism.

The plugs can be brought into the use position by means of the actuating slide. Advantageous for the safe use of the travel plug adapter is that the plug also remain in the use position, for example, even if they are introduced against pressure in a socket. In order to secure the whereabouts of plugs in the use position and to lock them there may be provided in the context of the present invention, a locking or locking element. This latching element can lock at least one plug of the travel plug adapter, expediently, the latching element can also lock several or all plugs in the use position.

It is useful if the locking element is connected to a release button, which is provided on the outside of the housing and to operate in a release direction. Such release button allows the intuitive and safe release of the locking element when a plug is to be transferred from the use position back to the ready position. This construction appears safer and more reliable than those in which certain movements of the actuating slide or the selection slide or even the plug itself lead to the release of the plug. So that the release button is not accidentally pressed, it can also be provided with warnings or in a warning color, for example in red, be designed. The release button may be part of the housing, such as when a part of the housing can be pressed by suitable design. In general, it is expedient to provide a recess in the housing, and to provide the release button as independent of the housing part in this recess. Suitably, the release button opposite to the selector slide and / or the actuators are arranged.

It is expedient if the latching element is optionally resiliently biased against the release direction. The resilient biasing of the locking element allows the reliable automatic engagement of plugs in a lock when the plug is in the use position. It is mechanically advantageous if the springs act exactly opposite to the release direction.

An expedient embodiment of an (optional) latching element is one in which the latching element has at least one latching web and this latching web has a sliding surface and a latching projection. On the sliding surface, an element connected to a moving plug can slide along. This element can then engage the latching projection, so that the connector connected to the element is locked.

It is expedient to have a travel plug adapter in which at least one plug has a sliding nose or is mechanically fixedly connected to such and the sliding nose runs on the sliding surface and can possibly assume a locking position on a latching projection.

It is also useful a travel plug adapter, wherein the locking means comprises a plurality of locking webs, for example, two, three or four locking webs. The number of locking bars can be just as large as the number of plugs. Appropriate and sufficient, it may also be, if the number of locking webs is less than the number of plugs.

Especially in the latter case, it is expedient if at least two plugs are each connected to a sliding nose and both slide lugs run on the same latching web of the latching element. Since both sliding lugs run on the same locking bar, so both slide lugs on the same sliding surface and on the same locking projection on which both slide lugs can assume a locked position. Since in the travel plug adapter not two plugs should be transferred simultaneously to the use position, the sliding lugs take alternatively this locking position on the locking projection. But by two Gleitnasen, for example, two sliding lugs adjacent plugs, share a suitably sized locking bar, the number of locking bars can be reduced and the travel plug adapter be built so compact.

Fig.1

zeigt eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Reisesteckeradapters,

Fig. 2

zeigt aus ähnlicher Perspektive eine Darstellung des Ausführrungsbeispiels des Reisesteckeradapters, bei dem der US-Stecker in die Nutzstellung überführt wurde,

Fig. 3

zeigt eine perspektivische Darstellung auf den Reisesteckeradapter nach Fig. 2, in der die Unterseite sichtbar wird,

Fig. 4

zeigt in entsprechender perspektivischer Darstellung den Reisestecker aus Fig. 3, bei dem der Schuko-Stecker in die Nutzstellung überführt wurde,

Fig. 5

zeigt in perspektivischer Ansicht ausgewählte zusammenwirkende Bauteile des Reisesteckers,

Fig. 6

zeigt in ähnlicher perspektivischer Ansicht ausgewählte zusammenwirkende Bauteile,

Fig.7

zeigt in ausgewählte zusammenwirkende Bauteile einer Ausführungsform eines Verriegelungsmechanismus,

Fig.8

zeigt in perspektivischer Ansicht ausgewählte zusammenwirkende Bauteile einer anderen Ausführungsform eines Verriegelungsmechanismus,

Fig. 9

zeigt die Bauteile der Fig. 8 in anderer Perspektive.

Other features, but also advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following drawings and the accompanying description. In the figures and in the accompanying descriptions, features of the invention are described in combination. However, these features may also be included in other combinations of an article of the invention. Every revealed feature is therefore also to be regarded as disclosed in technically meaningful combinations with other features. The illustrations are partly slightly simplified and schematic.

Fig.1

shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a travel plug adapter according to the invention,

Fig. 2

shows from a similar perspective a representation of the exemplary embodiment of the travel plug adapter, in which the US plug was transferred to the Nutzstellung,

Fig. 3

shows a perspective view of the travel plug adapter Fig. 2 in which the bottom is visible,

Fig. 4

shows in a corresponding perspective view of the travel plug Fig. 3 in which the Schuko plug was transferred to the use position,

Fig. 5

shows in perspective view selected cooperating components of the travel plug,

Fig. 6

shows in a similar perspective view selected cooperating components,

Figure 7

shows in selected cooperating components an embodiment of a locking mechanism,

Figure 8

shows in perspective view selected cooperating components of another embodiment of a locking mechanism,

Fig. 9

shows the components of the Fig. 8 in a different perspective.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a travel plug adapter 10 according to the invention, which is ready for use, but is not yet in use position. Rather, all the connectors are in the ready position, ie in the housing.

Hereinafter, only the most essential elements of the travel plug adapter 10 will be described. The travel plug adapter has a housing which consists of an upper housing part 12 and a lower housing part 14. The upper housing part 12 and the lower housing part 14 together form the plug main housing. On the top of the travel plug adapter and thus in the region of the upper housing part 12 is the plug receptacle 16. This has a plurality of contact sockets 18. Specifically, these are the receptacle pair 18A for receiving current-carrying UK contact pins, the receptacle pair 18B for receiving current-carrying AU contact pins, the receptacle pair 18C for receiving current-carrying US contact pins, the receptacle 18D for receiving a UK ground pin and the receptacle 18E for receiving a US earth pin or AU earth pin.

On the side of the housing, the release button 20 is also provided. It serves to lock and release actuators. On the front of the housing, the first actuating slide 22 is provided, with which the US-contacts can push out, the second actuating slide 24, with which the AU-contacts can push out and the third actuating slide 26, with which a Schuko-plug can be pushed out.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of the travel plug adapter according to the invention, in which the actuating slide 22 has been transferred to its lower position. Accordingly, the contact pins for the US plug 28 protrude from the housing. The US plug 28 includes two electrically conductive contact pins, the pins 30A and 30B, and a ground pin 32. In the illustrated position, the travel plug can be inserted into a US standard socket. This standard does not require that a plug body be used. The housing bottom of the travel plug adapter 10 is then flush on the flat surface of the plug according to US standard.

In Fig. 3 the same travel plug is shown from a different perspective. Here it is clearly seen that the bottom 34 is flat. At this bottom, however, a plurality of openings 36 and elements is provided. The openings 36A and 36B are provided for current-conducting Schuko contact pins. The openings 36C and 36D are provided for current-conducting AU contact pins. The opening 38 is provided for an additional ground pin. The opening 38 is provided together with the openings 36A and 36B in the plug body 40 of the Schuko plug. In addition to this plug body, a fuse insert 46 is also provided.

Fig. 4 shows from the same perspective the travel plug adapter according to the invention, in which the Schuko plug was placed in the use position. Accordingly, the third operating slide 26 has been brought to its lower position. Over the bottom 34 of the housing protrudes the plug body 40 of the Schuko plug. For this in turn, the current-carrying pins 42A and 42B of the Schuko plug stand out. According to the standard, ground contacts 44 are located on the sides of the plug body.

Fig. 5 shows in a perspective view selected cooperating components of the travel connector 10. The view goes with the housing upper part in the interior of the plug, so you can see essentially the components that are received by the housing base 14. It should also be noted that not all components required for the function of the plug are shown. For the sake of clarity, a selection has been made.

One recognizes the plug body 40 of the Schuko plug. In this, the openings 36 A and 36 B are provided for the current-conducting contact pins of the Schuko plug. Further, one recognizes the opening 36E, which is provided for a ground contact pin. It can be seen in this illustration also another opening, the opening 56 for the ground pin of the AU plug.

Shown are also the current-conducting contact pins 30A and 30B for the US plug. These are in their ready position, so they are withdrawn into the housing. Accordingly, the first operating slide 22 is in the upper position. The actuating slide 22 can be held in this position by the locking mechanism 48.

The actuating slide 22 moves the support bar 50. On this support bar 50, the contact pins 30A and 30B are suspended. Accordingly, when the first operating slide 22 is displaced, the support bar 50 moves downward in the direction of the housing bottom. The contact pins 30A and 30B are guided in the plug body 40 of the Schuko plug. The Schuko plug thus offers a guide for pins of a different standard.

Fig. 6 shows in a similar perspective view a similar selection of cooperating components. As an essential difference to Fig. 5 Here is also the support beam 52 recognizable for the AU plug. The support beam 52 is connected to the actuating slide 24. The support beam 52 has three beam ends, the beam ends 54A, 54B and 54C, which converge in region 54. The bar ends 54A and 54B support the current-carrying contacts of the AU plug. You lead these contacts mechanically from the (illustrated) ready position to the use position. The beam end 54C carries the AU ground pin. The earth pin will be from the (pictured) Standby position by the in Fig. 5 visible opening 56 transferred to the use position.

For the AU plug so an arrangement was chosen in which the current-carrying pins are guided outside the plug housing 40 of the Schuko plug, however, the ground pin is guided within the plug housing 40 of the Schuko plug. By contrast, the current-carrying contact pins for the US plug are guided within the plug body 40 of the Schuko plug. Both solutions allow an advantageous and space-saving arrangement. Different solutions can be chosen for different plugs.

Fig. 7 shows in a perspective view of selected cooperating components of an embodiment of the present invention. Shown are a first support frame 60 which carries as a guide element different (unspecified) contact pins and leads. Also shown is a second support frame which similarly guides a plurality of contact pins. Further, a third support frame 64 is shown. The support frames 60 and 62 are shown in an upper position, ie, a position corresponding to their standby position. The third support frame 64 is shown in a downwardly shifted position, which corresponds to the use position. The support frame 60 is connected to the actuator 66. The other support frames are connected in a corresponding manner with actuators, which are not recognizable from this perspective. Further, the support frames are connected to headers, namely, the support frame 60 with the header 68A, the support frame 62 with the header 68B, and the support frame 64 with the header 68C.

Further, three blocking carriages are provided, the blocking carriages 70A, 70B and 70C. These blocking slides run on the displacement track 72. The displacement track 72 extends between a first end 74 and a Second end 76. At the two ends limiting elements are provided, which limit the run of the blocking slide to both ends of the sliding track 72. In the first end piece 74 may also be provided a coil spring (not shown), which exerts pressure on the blocking slide 70C, so that it is biased toward the second end piece 76 of the sliding track 72. The pressure is transferred from the blocker carriage 70C to the blocker carriages 70B and 70A such that all the blocker carriages are resiliently biased toward the second end portion 76 of the shuttle 72.

The usable length of the displacement track 72, ie the length between the first end piece 74 and the second end piece 76, is dimensioned somewhat longer than the sum of the lengths of the blocking slides 70A, 70B and 70C. Therefore, a gap 78 may arise between the blocking carriages 70. In this gap can engage a headboard of a support frame. In the plug position of Fig. 7 The head portion 68C engages the gap 78 between the blocking slide 70B and the blocking slide 70C. The head portion 68C can be moved through the gap so that it reaches the illustrated lower position corresponding to the use position of the support frame 64 associated plug. In this position, however, the head 68C fully fills the available length on the translation track 72 along with the blocker carriages 70A, 70B and 70C. As a result, there is no gap or play left to allow the head portions 68A and 68B to engage the blocking carriages - in other words, there is no room for a second gap which would allow the passage of another head portion.

In this way, therefore, a locking mechanism 58 can be created, which ensures that only one plug is transferred to its use position. The blocking slides can be equipped with a slope 80 at the edges. This allows the easy passage of a head piece 68. Correspondingly, the head pieces 68 at its lower edge a Pointing in the form of a cutting end 82 have. This also facilitates the insertion of the head piece 68 in a gap between the blocking slide 80. However, the usable length of the sliding track 72 is in any case to be dimensioned so that despite such insertion and passage aids not more than a head 68 can be transferred to the use position , Overall, a simple and precisely functioning mechanism can be created in this way, which makes the additional provision of a selection slide superfluous. The mechanism also ensures that the actuators each occupy a clear standby position or use position. The user is never in doubt as to what condition a plug is currently in. On the other hand, travel plug adapters of the prior art sometimes permit a partial transfer of plugs in the direction of the ready position, for example, when blockages in the sliding slots only reach late.

Fig. 8 shows in perspective view selected components, by means of which an embodiment of an appropriate in the context of the present invention locking mechanism is recognizable. Shown are three actuators in the form of a first actuating slide 84 for a US plug, in the form of a second actuating slide 86 for a UK plug and in the form of a third actuating slide 88 for an AU plug. Of course, the locking mechanism 90 shown can also interact with other plugs, for example, the in Fig. 1 shown arrangement. The locking mechanism 90 again comprises a sliding track 92 as one element. This sliding track 92 extends between the first end piece 94 and the second end piece 96. Adjacent to the first end piece 94 is a spring 98 which is suitable for transferring the different blocking slides to the second End piece 96 of the sliding track 92 spring bias toward.

The spring 98 is disposed in the first blocking slide 100A. It also acts (mediated by this slide) on the second blocking slide 100B and on the adjacent third blocking carriages 100C. The blocking carriages are each equipped with guideways, the guideways 102A, 102B and 102C. Further, inclined surfaces are provided at the ends of the blocking slide, the inclined surfaces 104A, 104B and 104C.

Above the sliding track 92 tilting levers are arranged. Each actuator and thus plug is assigned its own rocker arm. The rocker arm 106A is associated with the actuator 84, the rocker arm 106B is associated with the actuator 86, and the rocker arm 106C is associated with the actuator 88. The rocker arms rotate about an axis of rotation (not shown) below the displacement track 92. The axes of rotation run essentially parallel to the displacement track 92. Each rocker arm has an integral control finger 108 with it. For the sake of clarity, this is designated in more detail only for the rocker arm 106C. Opposite to the control finger 108, a locking cam 110 is provided. The locking cam can engage with the associated actuating element and fix it in the ready position. The effective mechanism is explained in more detail in connection with the following figure.

It can be seen from this illustration that the rocker arm 106C is in a lower position. In this position, the control finger 108 is located directly above the displacement track 92. In this position, the control finger can only get when a suitable gap between the locking slide 100C and the second end 96. The control finger 108 intervenes in this gap. The guide cheek 102C and the inclined surface 104C ensure that upon movement of the rocker arm 106C, the control finger 108 can reliably dive into this gap. The gap is just dimensioned so that after the immersion of a control finger, a displacement of the blocking slide 100A, 100B or 100C is no longer possible. Accordingly, this also applies to the control finger of the other rocker arms.

When the rocker arm 106C is moved to its upper position, which corresponds to the standby position of the operating slider 88 in which the control finger 108 is located above the blocking carriage 100C, there is room for shifting all three blocking carriages. Accordingly, then, the rocker arm 106B associated with the operating slider 86 could be transferred to a lower position. In this case, its control lever, guided by the guide cheek 102B and the inclined surface 104B, would push the blocking slide 100C to the right onto the second end piece 96. However, this would be possible because there would be a gap available through the corresponding position of rocker arm 106C.

Fig. 9 shows the in. from another perspective Fig. 8 shown selected components of an embodiment and turn the actuating slide 84, 86 and 88. The operating slide 84 and 86 and the corresponding connector are in the ready position. The actuating slide 88 and the corresponding plug are in the use position. Only the parts essential for the description of the operation of the rocker arms have been referred to. For rocker arms 106C, it can be seen that the locking cam 110C can engage in a corresponding engagement 112C on the actuating slide 88. Such an intervention may generally be carried out expediently as a groove. An additional cam 114C is additionally provided on the actuating slide. When the operating slider is moved to its upper position corresponding to the standby position, the counter cam 114C presses against the pressing surface 116C on the rocker arm 106C. This causes the rocker arm 106C to move back to its upper position. The locking cam 110C engages the engagement 112C. This creates a positive connection that holds the operating slide 88 in the upper position. The rocker arm could also be spring loaded to hold the position secure regardless of the position of a skid. However, as soon as the blocking slide 100C is displaced and via the control finger 108 the Fixed position of the rocker arm 106 C, the actuating slide 88 is held securely and firmly in its upper position.

For the actuating slide 86, the securing of the upper position can be easily recognized. Here, the locking cam 110B is fixedly connected to the engagement 112B of the operating slider 86. In addition, the counter cam 114B engages the rocker arm. The blocking slide 100C prevents the control lever 108B, and thus the rocker arm 106B, from being able to move downwardly overall.

In this perspective view, it is also well recognized that the fixation in the area of the locking cam 110C can securely fix all the elements of the plug. Only when the rocker arm releases the engagement 112 can the support bar 118 for the AU plug be moved downwardly. This support beam guides both the live contacts 120A and 120B as well as the ground contact 122 safely down and up again.

In the manner described in more general and more concrete terms in the drawings, a travel adapter can be produced which can be operated very comfortably, but in which incorrect operation is scarcely to be expected. Interestingly, the travel adapter in this way is still inexpensive to produce and can also be produced inexpensively and reliably, even if larger error tolerances must be allowed in mass production.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Travel plug / travel plug adapter

12

Housing top

14

Housing bottom

16

plug receptacle

18

Contact socket

18A

UK-socket pair

18B

OFF socket pair

18C

US-socket pair

18D

Socket for UK ground pin

18E

US ground pin

20

release button

22

first actuating slide

24

second actuating slide

26

third control slide

28

US Plug

30

current conducting pins (US plug)

32

Grounding pin (US plug)

34

Plug body (Schuko plug)

36

openings

36A

Opening of electrically conductive contacts (Schuko)

36B

Opening of electrically conductive contacts (Schuko)

36C

Opening electrically conductive contacts (US)

36D

Opening electrically conductive contacts (US)

36E

Opening further earth contact

38

Safety plug

40

Safety plug body

42

live contacts Schuko plug

44

Earth contact Schuko plug

46

fuse compartment

48

locking mechanism

50

Stringer US

52

Opening earth pin

54

Stringer AU

56

Stringer end AU

58

locking mechanism

60

first support frame - guide element

62

second support frame - guide element

64

Third support frame - guide element

66

jig

68

headpiece

70

blocking slide

72

sliding track

74

first end of the track

76

second end of the track

78

gap

80

Slanted on the blocking slide

82

tapping

84

Actuator US

86

Actuator UK

88

Actuator AU

90

locking mechanism

92

sliding track

94

first tail

96

second tail

98

spring

100

blocking slide

102

Lead cheek

104

sloping surface

106

rocker arm

108

control finger

110

locking cam

112

Intervention locking cam

114

against cam

116

print area

118

Stringer AU

120

live contacts AU

122

Earth contact AU

Claims (14)

A travel plug adapter (10) comprising a housing, a plug receptacle (16) and at least one first plug (38, 84) of a first standard and a second plug (28, 86) of a second standard, each plug having an actuation slide (22, 24 ), which is guided by a sliding slot of the housing to the outside and for moving the plug between a standby position, in which the plug is located substantially within the housing, and a use position in which the plug is useable outside of the housing, and wherein a first blocking element (106A) is associated with the first plug (38, 84) so that movement of the first plug (38, 84) between the ready position and the use position is blocked when movement of the first blocking element (106A ) is blocked and wherein the second connector (28, 86) is associated with a second blocking element (106 B), so that the displacement of the second plug (28, 86) between the standby position and the use position is blocked when the movement of the second blocking element (106B) is blocked, characterized in that there is further provided at least one blocking slide (100A), in a first position, the path of the first Blocking element (106A) releases and a second position blocks the path of the first blocking element (106A), wherein the second blocking element (106B) acts on the position of the blocking slide (100A). Travel plug adapter (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the at least one blocking slide (100A) is guided on a sliding track (92). The travel plug adapter (10) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one blocking slide (106A) is resiliently biased toward an end of the slide track (92). Travel plug adapter (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the length of the displacement track (92) is selected so that only one blocking element (106) can engage in a gap between the blocking slide (100). Travel plug adapter (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one blocking slide (100A) is arranged above the slide slots. A travel plug adapter (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one blocking slide (100A) is disposed behind the slide slots. Travel plug adapter (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one first blocking slide of a first length and a second blocking slide of a second length, which is greater than the first length, are used. Travel plug adapter (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the blocking elements are fixedly connected to a guide element of a plug. Travel plug adapter (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the blocking elements (106) are designed as separate components which can cooperate with an element of the plug guide (50, 54, 56, 118). Travel plug adapter (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the blocking elements, the blocking elements are designed as movable levers Travel plug adapter (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the blocking elements are designed as tiltable levers (106). A travel plug adapter (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the tiltable levers (106) comprise a cam (110) which in an engagement (112) can engage a guide element of a plug. Travel plug adapter (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein that a latching element is provided which locks at least the first plug (38,84) or the second plug (28, 86) in the use position. Travel plug adapter (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the latching element is connected to a release button (20) provided on the outside of the housing.

Images