EP3535817B1 - Comfortable to operate travel adapter - Google Patents

Description

Field of invention

The present invention relates to a travel plug adapter, which is also referred to herein as a travel plug for short. With the help of such an adapter, mains plugs of a certain (domestic) standard can be plugged into the sockets available there at the travel destination. For this purpose, the travel plug adapter requires a plug socket of the first standard and a power plug of another standard. The present case is more precisely about travel plug adapters which allow plugging into sockets of at least a first and a second standard. For this purpose, mains plugs of a first and a second standard can alternatively be used with the travel plug adapter.

Background of the invention

Travel plug adapters or travel plugs of this type are finding increasing use in times of increasing global travel and business activity. There is therefore a need for compact, easily transportable travel plug adapters that are suitable for sockets of several different standards.

The Chinese patent application CN 101872911 A discloses a travel plug adapter having a substantially round housing. Power plugs, which can be selected and pushed out of the housing, are housed inside the housing. In this way, at least three different types of mains plugs can be used. The desired mains plug is selected by rotating the upper part of the housing in relation to the lower part of the housing. The upper housing part has a single outwardly protruding actuating slide. This operating slide can be brought into engagement with various mains plug elements. It is done by twisting it into one position brought above the power plug to be pushed out of the housing below.

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 to be advantageous if different control elements are assigned to different plugs, and the plug can be transferred directly into the use position by operating the assigned control element.

The German patent specification 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 set of pins is connected to a control unit with which it can be moved from the outside. For this purpose, the operating parts are guided through sliding slots in the housing. The operating parts are additionally guided through a locking plate provided inside the outer housing. This locking plate has a backdrop, through the recesses of which the operating parts can move. The backdrop provides an upper and a lower end position. The locking plate is resiliently preloaded so that an operating part can be held firmly in the upper or lower end position. The control panel and thus the corresponding plug pin set can be released from the end positions and moved upwards or downwards by actuating a selector lever which is additionally provided on the outside next to the control panels. By pressing this selector lever, the locking plate is moved against the spring force. As a result, the pins can be moved from their upper or their lower end position with the aid of the operating parts.

In this solution, the outer operating parts are used both to transfer the plug pin sets from a first end position, a standby position, to a second end position, a use position, as well as to to lock the pin sets in these positions. The disadvantage here is that the selector lever must also be operated during the movement of the plug pin sets by the operating parts. This stands in the way of convenient one-handed operation. The control elements also take up a lot of space on the connector surface. This stands in the way of a free design-oriented design and the achievement of a compact design.

The U.S. Patent US 7,220,139 discloses a travel plug adapter with sockets according to four different standards. These plug-in sets can be selected by an operating element and transferred to the use position. The control element runs in a slot in a side wall of the housing of the adapter.

CN 105576408 A discloses a travel plug adapter in which a selection slide is provided. Plugs with different country shapes can be selected using the selection slide and transferred to the use position using the operating slide.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved travel plug adapter which circumvents the disadvantages of the prior art. The travel adapter should be inexpensive and reliable to manufacture, easy to transport and use and offer a high level of electrical safety.

The travel plug adapter according to the invention has a housing which can have various shapes. For example, a cuboid shape is usually convenient for transportation. The mechanics of the travel plug adapter are designed in such a way that the housing shape can be largely freely selected. 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 pieces. It has proven to be useful to design the housing in two parts, namely with a lower housing part and an upper housing part. Both can be releasably connected to one another, 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 top of the housing. Depending on the type of mains plug to be received (hereinafter referred to as: plug), the plug receptacle can have different shapes. If, for example, 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. With other connector types, a recess or pit is not required. It can be useful to provide a flat top of the housing in which several contact sockets are provided. As a rule, at least two contact sockets should be provided, which form a contact socket pair for receiving a plug of a standard. It can be useful to provide several contact socket pairs in order to be able to accommodate several plugs of different standards. If the plugs also have earth conductors and the plug receptacle should offer the possibility of earthing, it is usually necessary to provide a third contact socket or a third contact for each plug to be accommodated.

The travel plug adapter should also have at least one plug of a first standard and a second plug of a second standard. (Such plugs are sometimes also referred to as plug pin sets.) The plug of the first standard can be, for example, an EU plug and the plug of the second standard can be a US plug. The plugs can be two-pole, i.e. ungrounded, or three-pole, so that an earth pole can be provided. The present travel plug adapter is therefore suitable for use in more than one country. It is expedient and usually also necessary if the first connector and the second connector are only used alternatively.

The travel plug adapter can also comprise 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 as a rule all plugs, can be brought from a standby position, in which the plug is essentially located in the housing, into a use position. In the use position, the plug can be used wholly or at least partially outside the housing. It is often possible for the plug to be moved completely back into the housing when it is returned to the ready position. It is useful that the plug can be moved back into the housing at least so far that it is not in the way of other connectors.

The first plug is connected to an actuating slide for its transfer from the standby position into the use position. The second connector is also connected to an actuating slide for transferring it from the ready position to the use position. Thus, the travel plug adapter has at least a first actuating slide and a second operating slide. The actuating slide can expediently be designed like a button so that they can be easily moved with a finger. Sliding slots are provided in the housing for the operating slide. One can also connect sliding slots with one another so that a guide slot for the actuating slide results. As a rule, it is useful to provide one sliding slot for each actuating slide and to arrange these sliding slots parallel to one another.

A selection slide can be provided on the travel plug adapter, which can be brought into at least a first position and a second position. This selection slide alternatively releases the first connector in its first position or the second connector in its second position for transferring it into the use position. For this purpose, it has a locking element; for example, cams which engage in the displacement path can serve as the locking element. In the context of the present invention, however, it is not necessary to provide such a selection slide. It is optional and can be used in addition to the means described later.

Since the travel plug adapter should always be built compactly, the operating slides are usually close to one another. It can therefore easily happen that, for example, a finger is not placed precisely on the actuating slide and an adjacent operating slide is accidentally placed could also be moved. However, since the present invention only enables the actuation of one plug and thus (usually) also of an actuating slide, the actuating slide that is accidentally touched does not move (or at least it does not move the associated plug). This makes the operation of the travel plug adapter more fault-tolerant.

As mentioned, it is useful if the housing of the travel plug adapter has sliding slots or similar recesses. The operating slide can run in these sliding slots. A slide slot for a selection slide can also be provided in addition. Sliding slots allow a slide to move while being guided. They thus represent an advantageous and inexpensive mechanical solution. Since several actuating slides are generally provided on the travel plug adapter, it is particularly advantageous if these can be guided in a simple manner in sliding slots. In the context of the present invention, the actuating slides only have to cause the connector to move, usually an up or down movement. In contrast to other customary adapters, the actuating slide does not necessarily have to ensure that the connector is locked in the use position or that only one connector can be selected at a time. Since the actuating slide is allowed in the context of the present invention to assume only one function, they can be easily and reliably guided in sliding slots. If an actuating slide were, for example, spring-loaded, the guide in a sliding slot would generally be less user-friendly, the slide tended to tilt, would run "wobbly" and in any case would have a higher resistance.

A travel plug adapter can expediently have at least a first plug of a first standard and a second plug of a second standard. An actuating slide is assigned to each connector. Furthermore, a blocking element should be assigned to each plug, that is to say a first blocking element is to be assigned to the first plug and a second blocking element to the second plug. This blocking element has the effect that 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 in a first position releases the path of the first blocking element and in a second position blocks the path of the first blocking element. The second blocking element can 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. The second blocking element expediently prevents the movement of the blocking slide from the second position to the first position. The first position is the one in which the path of the first blocking element is released. The second blocking element can prevent the movement of the blocking slide from the second position to the first position in that the second blocking element is at least partially moved into the movement path of the blocking slide or an element that must necessarily be moved with it. Such an element, which must necessarily be moved with it, can be a further blocking slide that must also be moved with it.

As explained, it is desirable, for safety reasons alone, that the first plug or the second plug can only be transferred into the use position as an alternative. To achieve this, some interaction between the plugs is required. This interaction is mediated in the context of the present invention by the blocking slide. 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 the first connector.

The blocking slide can be guided in various ways, for example it could run on a rod which the slide engages around, 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 path supports the slide on one side, it can also encompass it in a U-shape, thus offering a path for example to the underside and at the same time offering the opposite sides of the blocking slide an additional guide.

It is also expedient if the at least one blocking slide is resiliently biased towards one end of the sliding path. The blocking slide is then permanently pressed against the end of the sliding path. This can expediently be achieved with a spring at the opposite end of the sliding track, for example with a spiral spring. The pretensioning of the blocking slides means that they are always held in predetermined positions at one end of the sliding track.

Especially when several blocking slides are used on the shifting track, the position of the gaps between two blocking slides is also predetermined. A blocking element can engage in such a gap between the blocking slide. This allows the connector assigned to the blocking element to be moved into the use position.

It is useful that when a blocking element engages in a gap between two blocking slides 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 sliding track is dimensioned in such a way that only one blocking element can engage in a gap between blocking slides.

It is expedient if the at least one blocking slide (or, if necessary, all blocking slides) are arranged above the sliding slots. This means that the sliding slots remain free of blocking elements. On the one hand, this means a clean image of the sliding slots and thus the travel plug adapter as a whole. On the other hand, the partial immersion of plugs and associated actuating elements into the sliding slots can thus be avoided. This partial immersion leads to an unclear connector position which is often confusing for the user.

In addition, this arrangement allows the travel plug adapter to be made 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 useful if at least a first blocking slide of a first length and a second blocking slide of a second length are used, the second blocking slide being longer than the first slide. In this way it is possible to compensate for different distances between the sliding slots, and it is also possible to accommodate blocking elements of different thicknesses or, in relation to individual blocking elements, to prevent the blocking element from dipping into a gap between the blocking slides particularly effectively.

The blocking elements can be designed in various expedient ways. The plugs typically have guide elements, for example a support beam. The blocking element can be fixed to such a guide element or possibly one to the guide element attached element. For example, the blocking element can have the shape of a cam or a flag. The blocking element can also be designed in one piece with the corresponding guide element. The blocking element is, however, an element different from the actuating element.

It is also expedient to design the blocking elements as separate components, that is to say, as a rule, elements that can move independently of the movement of the guide elements. The blocking elements are preferably also movable separately. For example, the blocking elements can be designed as levers, in particular as tiltable levers. The axis of rotation of such tiltable levers can be aligned parallel to the axis of displacement of the blocking slide on the displacement path. It is useful, for example, if the tiltable levers have a cam which can engage in a groove of a guide element of the connector.

It is advantageous if the at least one blocking element (or possibly all blocking elements) are connected to a control lever that 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 can also be designed in one piece with the blocking element. For example, a U-shaped lever has proven successful, one end of which 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 can engage in a locking mechanism, in particular a blocking slide of a locking mechanism.

The plugs can be brought into the use position using the actuating slide. It is advantageous for the safe use of the travel plug adapter that the plugs also remain in the use position, for example even when they are inserted into a socket against pressure. In order to ensure that plugs remain in the use position and to lock them there, a locking or latching element can be provided within the scope of the present invention. This locking element can lock at least one plug of the travel plug adapter, expediently the locking 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 is to be actuated in a release direction. Such release button allows the locking element to be released intuitively and safely when a plug is to be transferred back from the use position 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 the plug itself lead to the plug being released. So that the release button is not accidentally actuated, it can also be provided with warning notices or designed in a warning color, for example red. The release button can be part of the housing, for example if part of the housing can be pressed in by a suitable design. As a rule, it is advisable to provide a recess in the housing and to provide the release button in this recess as a part that is independent of the housing. The release button can expediently be arranged opposite the selection slide and / or the actuation slide.

It is useful if the locking element is, if necessary, resiliently biased against the release direction. The resilient biasing of the locking element allows the reliable automatic locking of plugs into one Locking as soon as the connector is in the use position. It is mechanically advantageous if the springs act precisely against the direction of release.

An expedient embodiment of an (optional) locking element is one in which the locking element has at least one locking web and this locking web has a sliding surface and a locking projection. An element which is connected to a moving plug can slide along the sliding surface. This element can then snap into place on the locking projection so that the plug connected to the element is locked.

A travel plug adapter is expedient in which at least one plug has a sliding lug or is mechanically firmly connected to one and the sliding lug runs on the sliding surface and can possibly assume a locking position on a latching projection.

A travel plug adapter is also useful in which the locking means has 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. It can also be expedient and sufficient if the number of locking bars is less than the number of plugs.

In the latter case in particular, it is useful if at least two plugs are each connected to a sliding lug and both sliding lugs run on the same locking web of the locking element. Since both sliding lugs run on the same locking web, both sliding lugs run on the same sliding surface and on the same locking projection on which both sliding lugs can assume a locking position. Since, with the travel plug adapter, two plugs should not be moved into the use position at the same time, the sliding lugs alternatively assume this locking position on the locking projection. But by having two sliding noses, for example two sliding noses of adjacent plugs, share a suitably dimensioned locking web, the number of Latching bars are reduced and the travel plug adapter can be made even more 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.

Further features, but also advantages of the invention, result from the drawings listed below and the associated description. Features of the invention are described in combination in the figures and in the associated descriptions. However, these features can also be included in other combinations of an object according to the invention. Each feature disclosed is therefore also to be viewed as disclosed in technically meaningful combinations with other features. Some of the illustrations are slightly simplified and schematic.

Fig. 1

shows a perspective representation 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 has been transferred into the use position,

Fig. 3

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

Fig. 4

shows the travel plug in a corresponding perspective view Fig. 3 , in which the Schuko plug was moved into the use position,

Fig. 5

shows selected interacting components of the travel plug in a perspective view,

Fig. 6

shows selected interacting components in a similar perspective view,

Fig. 7

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

Fig. 8

shows in a perspective view selected interacting 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 the use position. Rather, all plugs are in the ready position, ie in the housing.

Only the most essential elements of the travel plug adapter 10 are initially described below. 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 main connector housing. The plug receptacle 16 is located on the upper side of the travel plug adapter and thus in the area of the upper housing part 12. It has a multiplicity of contact sockets 18. In detail, these are the socket pair 18A for receiving current-carrying UK contact pins, the socket pair 18B for receiving current-carrying AU contact pins, the socket pair 18C for receiving current-carrying US contact pins, the socket 18D for receiving a UK earth pin and the socket 18E to accommodate a US or AU earth pin.

The release button 20 is also provided on the housing side. It is used to lock and release actuating elements. On the front of the housing, the first actuating slide 22 is provided with which the US contacts can be pushed out, the second actuating slide 24 with it the AU contacts can be pushed out and the third operating 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 moved into its lower position. The contact pins for the US plug 28 accordingly protrude from the housing. The US plug 28 comprises two electrically conductive contact pins, the pins 30A and 30B, and a grounding pin 32. In the position shown, the travel plug can be inserted into a socket according to US standards. This standard does not require that a connector body be used. The underside of the housing of the travel plug adapter 10 then rests flush on the flat surface of the plug according to the US standard.

In Fig. 3 the same travel plug is shown from a slightly different perspective. It can be clearly seen here that the underside 34 is flat. However, a plurality of openings 36 and elements are provided on this underside. The openings 36A and 36B are provided for electrically conductive Schuko contact pins. The openings 36C and 36D are provided for electrically conductive AU contact pins. The opening 38 is provided for an additional earth 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 has been brought into the use position. Accordingly, the third operating slide 26 has been brought into its lower position. The plug body 40 of the Schuko plug protrudes over the underside 34 of the housing. The current-carrying contact pins 42A and 42B of the Schuko plug protrude from this in turn. In accordance with the standard, there are earth contacts 44 on the sides of the plug body.

Fig. 5 shows selected interacting components of the travel plug 10 in a perspective view. With the upper part of the housing removed, the view goes into the interior of the plug, that is to say essentially the components that are received by the lower part of the housing. It should also be noted that not all components required for the function of the connector are shown. A selection has been made for the sake of clarity.

You can see the plug body 40 of the Schuko plug. In this, the openings 36A and 36B are provided for the electrically conductive contact pins of the Schuko plug. The opening 36E, which is provided for a ground contact pin, can also be seen. Another opening can also be seen in this illustration, the opening 56 for the earth pin of the AU plug.

The electrically conductive contact pins 30A and 30B for the US plug are also shown. These are in their ready position, so they are retracted 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 beam 50. The contact pins 30A and 30B are suspended from this support beam 50. Correspondingly, when the first actuating slide 22 is displaced, the supporting beam 50 moves downward in the direction of the housing base. 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 contact pins of a different standard.

Fig. 6 shows a similar selection of interacting components in a similar perspective illustration. As a major difference too Fig. 5 the support beam 52 for the AU plug can also be seen here. 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 the region 54. The beam ends 54A and 54B support the conductive contacts of the AU plug. You lead these contacts mechanically from the (shown) ready position into the use position. The beam end 54C carries the AU ground pin. The earth pin is therefore moved from the (shown) standby position by the in Fig. 5 visible opening 56 transferred into the use position.

For the AU plug, an arrangement was chosen in which the current-carrying pins are guided outside the plug housing 40 of the Schuko plug, whereas the earth pin is guided inside the plug housing 40 of the Schuko plug. In 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 Figure 11 shows selected cooperating components of an embodiment of the present invention in a perspective view. A first support frame 60 is shown which, as a guide element, supports and guides various contact pins (not shown in more detail). Also shown is a second support frame that guides several contact pins in a similar manner. A third support frame 64 is also shown. The support frames 60 and 62 are shown in an upper position, ie a position which corresponds to their ready position. The third support frame 64 is shown in a downwardly displaced position which corresponds to the use position. The support frame 60 is connected to the actuating element 66. The remaining support frames are in correspondingly connected to actuating elements which, however, cannot be seen from this perspective. Furthermore, the support frames are connected to head pieces, namely the support frame 60 with the head piece 68A, the support frame 62 with the head piece 68B and the support frame 64 with the head piece 68C.

Furthermore, three blocking slides are provided, the blocking slides 70A, 70B and 70C. These blocking carriages run on the sliding track 72. The sliding track 72 extends between a first end 74 and a second end 76. Limiting elements are provided at the two ends, which limit the movement of the blocking carriages to both ends of the sliding track 72. In the first end piece 74, a spiral spring can also be provided (not shown), which exerts pressure on the blocking slide 70C, so that it is pretensioned towards the second end piece 76 of the displacement path 72. The pressure is transmitted from the blocking carriage 70C to the blocking carriages 70B and 70A, so that all the blocking carriages are resiliently biased towards the second end piece 76 of the sliding track 72.

The usable length of the sliding track 72, that is to say 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. A gap 78 can therefore arise between the blocking slide 70. A head part of a support frame can engage in this gap. In the plug position of the Fig. 7 the head part 68C engages in the gap 78 between the blocking slide 70B and the blocking slide 70C. The head part 68C can be moved through the gap so that it reaches the depicted lower position, which corresponds to the use position of the connector assigned to the support frame 64. In this position, the head piece 68C completely fills the available length on the sliding track 72 together with the blocking slide 70A, 70B and 70C. As a result, there is no longer a gap or slack for the headers 68A and 68B to engage could step with the blocking slide - in other words, there is no longer any space for a second gap that would allow the passage of another head part.

In this way, a locking mechanism 58 can be created which ensures that only one plug is transferred into its use position. The blocking slides can be equipped with a bevel 80 at the edges. This allows a head piece 68 to pass easily. Correspondingly, the head pieces 68 can have a taper in the form of a cutting end 82 on their lower edge. This also makes it easier to insert the head piece 68 into a gap between the blocking slides 80. However, the usable length of the sliding track 72 must always be dimensioned so that, despite such insertion and passage aids, no more than one head piece 68 can be transferred into the useful 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 mechanics also ensure that the actuating elements each take a clear standby position or use position. The user is never in doubt about the current state of a plug. Travel plug adapters from the prior art, on the other hand, sometimes allow a partial transfer of plugs in the direction of the standby position, for example if blockages in the sliding slots take effect late.

Fig. 8 shows selected components in a perspective view, on the basis of which an embodiment of a locking mechanism useful within the scope of the present invention can be recognized. Shown are three actuating elements 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 illustrated locking mechanism 90 can also interact with other connectors, for example the one in FIG Fig. 1 shown arrangement. The locking mechanism 90 in turn comprises a sliding track 92 as an 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, a spring 98 is provided which is suitable for moving the various blocking slides onto the second End piece 96 of the sliding track 92 to be resiliently biased towards.

The spring 98 is arranged in the first blocking slide 100A. It also acts (mediated via this carriage) on the second blocking carriage 100B and on the adjacent third blocking carriage 100C. The blocking slides are each equipped with guide rails, guide rails 102A, 102B and 102C. Furthermore, inclined surfaces, the inclined surfaces 104A, 104B and 104C, are provided at the ends of the blocking carriages.

Rocker arms are arranged above the sliding track 92. A separate rocker arm is assigned to each actuating element and thus to the plug. The rocker arm 106A is associated with the actuating element 84, the rocker arm 106B is associated with the actuating element 86 and the rocker arm 106C is associated with the actuating element 88. The rocker arms rotate about an axis of rotation (not shown) below the displacement path 92. The axes of rotation run essentially parallel to the displacement path 92. Each rocker arm has a control finger 108 which is embodied in one piece with it. For the sake of clarity, this is only designated for the rocker arm 106C. A locking cam 110 is provided opposite the control finger 108. The locking cam can come into engagement with the associated actuating element and fix it in the ready position. The mechanics that work here are 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 path 92. In this position, the Control fingers can only be reached if a suitable gap is created between the blocking slide 100C and the second end piece 96. The control finger 108 engages in this gap. The guide cheek 102C and the inclined surface 104C ensure that when the rocker arm 106C is moved, the control finger 108 can reliably enter this gap. The gap is just dimensioned in such a way that after a control finger has dipped in, it is no longer possible to move the blocking slide 100A, 100B or 100C. This also applies accordingly to the control fingers of the other rocker arms.

When the rocker arm 106C is moved into its upper position, which corresponds to the ready position of the actuating slide 88, in which the control finger 108 is located above the blocking slide 100C, there is space to move all three blocking slides. Correspondingly, the rocker arm 106B, which is assigned to the actuating slide 86, could then be moved into a lower position. In doing so, its control lever, guided by the guide cheek 102B and the inclined surface 104B, would push the blocking slide 100C to the right towards the second end piece 96. This would be possible, however, since a gap would be available there due to the corresponding position of the rocker arm 106C.

Fig. 9 shows the in Fig. 8 shown selected components of an embodiment and again the operating slide 84, 86 and 88. The operating slide 84 and 86 and the corresponding plug are in the ready position. The actuating slide 88 and the corresponding plug are in the use position. Only the parts that are essential for describing how the rocker arms work have been identified. It can be seen for rocker arms 106C that the locking cam 110C can engage in a corresponding engagement 112C on the actuating slide 88. Such engagement can generally expediently be designed as a groove. A counter cam 114C is also provided on the actuating slide. When the operating slide is in its upper position, corresponding to the ready position Position is transferred, the counter cam 114C presses against the pressure 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 in the engagement 112C. This creates a form-fitting connection which holds the actuating slide 88 in the upper position. The rocker arm could also be designed to be spring-loaded in order to hold the position safely regardless of the position of a blocking slide. However, as soon as the blocking slide 100C is displaced and the position of the rocker arm 106C is fixed via the control finger 108, the actuating slide 88 is held securely and firmly in its upper position.

The securing of the upper position can be clearly seen for the actuating slide 86. Here, the locking cam 110B is firmly connected to the engagement 112B of the actuating slide 86. In addition, the counter cam 114B is engaged with the rocker arm. The blocking slide 100C prevents the control lever 108B and thus the rocker arm 106B from moving downwards as a whole.

In this perspective illustration it can also be seen clearly that the fixing 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 beam 118 for the AU plug be moved downwards. This support beam leads both the current-carrying contacts 120A and 120B as well as the earth contact 122 safely down and back up.

In the manner described in general and more specifically in the drawings, a travel adapter can be produced that is very convenient to use, but with which operating errors are hardly to be expected. Interestingly, the travel adapter can nevertheless be produced inexpensively in this way and can also be produced inexpensively and reliably, even if larger error tolerances have to be allowed in mass production.

List of reference symbols

10

Travel plug / travel plug adapter

12

Housing upper part

14th

Housing base

16

Connector receptacle

18th

Contact socket

18A

UK socket pair

18B

OUT socket pair

18C

US socket pair

18D

Socket for UK earth pin

18E

US earth pin

20th

Release button

22nd

first operating slide

24

second operating slide

26th

third operating slide

28

US plug

30th

conductive contact pins (US plug)

32

Ground pin (US plug)

34

Plug body (Schuko plug)

36

openings

36A

Opening conductive contacts (Schuko)

36B

Opening conductive contacts (Schuko)

36C

Opening conductive contacts (US)

36D

Opening conductive contacts (US)

36E

Opening of further earth contact

38

Schuko plug

40

Schuko plug body

42

Live contacts Schuko plug

44

Earth contact Schuko plug

46

Fuse compartment

48

Locking mechanism

50

Supporting beam US

52

Opening earth pin

54

Support beam AU

56

Beam ends AU

58

Locking mechanism

60

first support frame - guide element

62

second support frame - guide element

64

third support frame - guide element

66

Actuator

68

Headjoint

70

Blocking slide

72

Sliding track

74

first end piece sliding track

76

second end piece sliding track

78

gap

80

Slope on the blocking slide

82

Cutting

84

Actuating element US

86

Actuating element UK

88

Actuating element AU

90

Locking mechanism

92

Sliding track

94

first tail

96

second end piece

98

Spring

100

Blocking slide

102

Guide cheek

104

Bevel

106

rocker arm

108

Control finger

110

Locking cam

112

Engagement locking cam

114

Counter cam

116

Printing area

118

Support beam AU

120

live contacts AU

122

Earth contact AU

Claims (14)

1. Travel plug adapter (10), which has a housing, a plug receptacle (16), and at least a first plug (38, 84) of a first standard and a second plug (28, 86) of a second standard, wherein each plug is assigned an actuation slider (22, 24), which is guided outwardly through a slide slot of the housing and is designed to displace the plug between a standby position, in which the plug is disposed substantially inside the housing, and a usage position, in which the plug is usably disposed outside the housing, and wherein the first plug (38, 84) is assigned a first blocking element (106A), such that displacement of the first plug (38, 84) between the standby position and the usage position is blocked when the movement of the first blocking element (106A) is blocked, and wherein the second plug (28, 86) is assigned a second blocking element (106B), such that the displacement of the second plug (28, 86) between the standby position and the usage position is blocked when the movement of the second blocking element (106B) is blocked, characterised in that at least one blocking slide (100A) is also provided, which in a first position releases the path of the first blocking element (106A) and in 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) and wherein the at least one blocking slide (100A) cooperates with the first blocking element (106A) and the second blocking element (106B), such that the movement of at least one blocking element (100A; 100B) is blocked.
2. Travel plug adapter (10) according to the preceding claim, in which the at least one blocking slide (100A) is guided on a displacement track (92).
3. Travel plug adapter (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the at least one blocking slide (106A) is resiliently pre-stressed towards an end of the displacement track (92).
4. Travel plug adapter (10) according to any claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the length of the displacement track (92) is selected such that only one blocking element at any time can engage in a gap between blocking slides (100).
5. Travel plug adapter (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the at least one blocking slide (100A) is arranged above the slide slots.
6. Travel plug adapter (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the at least one blocking slide (100A) is arranged behind the slide slots.
7. Travel plug adapter (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which 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.
8. Travel plug adapter (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the blocking elements are fixedly connected to a guide element of a plug.
9. Travel plug adapter (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the blocking elements (106) are formed as separate components which can cooperate with an element of the plug guide (50, 54, 56, 118).
10. Travel plug adapter (10) according to the preceding claim, in which the blocking elements are formed as movable levers.
11. Travel plug adapter (10) according to the preceding claim, in which the blocking elements are formed as tittable levers (106).
12. Travel plug adapter (10) according to the preceding claims, in which the tiltable levers (106) have a cam (110) which can engage in an engagement part (112) of a guide element of a plug.
13. Travel plug adapter (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which a locking element is provided that arrests at least the first plug (38, 84) or the second plug (28, 86) in the usage position.
14. Travel plug adapter (10) according to the preceding claim, in which the locking element is connected to a release button (20) provided outside on the housing.

Images