WO2008071938A2 - Plug converter apparatus - Google Patents

Plug converter apparatus Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2008071938A2
WO2008071938A2 PCT/GB2007/004738 GB2007004738W WO2008071938A2 WO 2008071938 A2 WO2008071938 A2 WO 2008071938A2 GB 2007004738 W GB2007004738 W GB 2007004738W WO 2008071938 A2 WO2008071938 A2 WO 2008071938A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
plug
pins
electrical
pin
pin configuration
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2007/004738
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2008071938A3 (en
Inventor
Alan Tadd
Original Assignee
Sandal Plc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sandal Plc filed Critical Sandal Plc
Publication of WO2008071938A2 publication Critical patent/WO2008071938A2/en
Publication of WO2008071938A3 publication Critical patent/WO2008071938A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R31/00—Coupling parts supported only by co-operation with counterpart
    • H01R31/06—Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter
    • H01R31/065—Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with built-in electric apparatus
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/66—Structural association with built-in electrical component
    • H01R13/70—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in switch
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02H—EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS
    • H02H3/00—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition with or without subsequent reconnection ; integrated protection
    • H02H3/26—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition with or without subsequent reconnection ; integrated protection responsive to difference between voltages or between currents; responsive to phase angle between voltages or between currents
    • H02H3/32—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition with or without subsequent reconnection ; integrated protection responsive to difference between voltages or between currents; responsive to phase angle between voltages or between currents involving comparison of the voltage or current values at corresponding points in different conductors of a single system, e.g. of currents in go and return conductors

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to plug converters and particularly to a modified plug converter which has further functionality affecting the operation of the converter.
  • Plug converters are already known and are used to convert a first pin configuration on a first plug to a second pin configuration.
  • continental Europe uses a two-pin plug configuration and UK uses a three pin- plug configuration and a plug converter can be used to allow a two pin plug to be used in a three pin receiving socket in the UK.
  • Such plug converters are described in GB2355865 and WO2004/082082.
  • Each disclosure describes a different type on internal configuration within the plug converter to allow a two-pin plug to be received by the plug converter, and retained therein. Both disclosures refer to the plug converter having a casing and the two pin plug being received through an opening in the casing.
  • GB2355865 differs to WO2004/082082 in that the former describes a tightening device such as a screw which is tightened by a user to clamp the two pin plug within the plug converter casing whereas the latter relates to an automatic self-locking configuration to retain the two pin plug by simply inserting it into the plug converter casing.
  • Adapters that have added functionality such as timers, light sensors or residual current devices are known. Such adapters are a separate unit have a three-pin configuration and receive a three pin plug which is plugged into a socket on the housing of the adapter. The adapter can then be plugged into a three-pin receiving socket in a wall and the functionality of the adapter will affect the device which is attached to the three pin plug.
  • the present invention aims to modify a conventional plug converter to have the additional functionality of the adapter built into the converter.
  • the invention provides a plug converter apparatus comprising a housing arranged to receive an electrical plug with a first pin configuration, the apparatus having electrical pins with a second pin configuration different to the first configuration and connecting means for electrically connecting the pins of the electrical plug with the electrical pins of the apparatus, the apparatus further comprising a module for controlling the electrical connection between the pins of the electrical plug and the pins of the plug converter apparatus.
  • the module comprises a switching means which is arranged to enable or disable the connection of the connecting means.
  • the switching means is preferably controlled by a controller forming part of the module and the controller is arranged to determine conditions which affect whether the switching means should be disabled or enabled.
  • the module is a predetermined timing operation and the module comprises a timer to determine the time which has elapsed. If a predetermined amount of time elapses, the controller causes the switch to be disabled. The predetermined amount of time would be pre-stored as a predetermined condition. This could be stored at them time of manufacture or user definable through a manual input on the module.
  • the module may determine current leakage. That is, the module may comprise a current leakage detection device which is arranged to detect any current leakage. If such leakage is detected, the detection device signals this to the controller which recognises such a signal as current leakage data and causes the switching means to be disabled.
  • FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • the preferred embodiment comprises a plug converter apparatus 1 having a housing (not shown).
  • the housing comprises a cover and base portion (not shown) which can be permanently locked together or non-unitary in that it can be opened if required.
  • a converter section 2 is provided within the housing of the apparatus and is capable of converting a plug of a first configuration which is preferably a two pin plug ((not shown) typically used in continental Europe into the pin configuration of the apparatus which is different to that of the two-pin plug.
  • the apparatus has a UK style three-pin configuration and pins are provided on the housing to be received by an appropriate three pin receiving socket.
  • the two-pin plug is inserted into the housing and retained therein in any appropriate manner which is known in the art.
  • the housing comprises an opening through which the two-pin plug is received and once within the housing the plug is retained by either requiring a user to clamp the plug in the housing or can be self locking such that the plug is retained in the housing once it passes a certain point.
  • other ways of retained the plug are also envisaged such as opening the housing about a hinge, inserting the two- pin plug and locking the two pin plug whilst the housing is open.
  • a module 3 is also provided in the apparatus 1 and comprises a switch 4 and a controller 5.
  • the switch 4 is arranged to control the electrical connection in the converter section and the switch 4 itself is controlled by the controller 5.
  • the module 3 provides further functionality which is to be used with the converter section 2. In this embodiment two types of functionality are provided.
  • the first type is a timer 6 which is used to control the time the electrical connection in the converter section 2 is active.
  • the timer 6 determines the amount of time elapsed and/or the time of the day and on this basis, the controller 5 causes the switch 4 to switch on or off the electrical connection in the converter section.
  • the module 3 also comprises an input device 8 such as a keypad or dial (not shown) to enable a user to vary the elapsed time or time of day which is monitored by the timer 6.
  • the second type is a residual current device 7 which is used to detect any leakage current in the apparatus 1 and disable the electrical connection in the converter section 2 if any leakage current is detected. This is addition to a fuse which may be provided in the converter section.
  • a further module could be light sensitive functionality such that a certain level of light will determine the status of the electrical connection in the converter section.
  • Another type of functionality is a voltage transformer causing the voltage to be stepped up or down depending on the voltage output required.
  • the further functionality of the various types of modules may be added or removed from the apparatus 1 such that the module is detachable from the apparatus. This can be achieved by a user by opening the housing and inserting or removing the requisite module in an allocated space in the apparatus 1.

Landscapes

  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
  • Dc-Dc Converters (AREA)

Abstract

A plug converter apparatus is provided with added functionality affecting the operation of the apparatus. The apparatus comprises a housing arranged to receive an electrical plug with a first pin configuration, the apparatus having electrical pins with a second pin configuration different to the first configuration and connecting means for electrically connecting the pins of the electrical plug with the electrical pins of the apparatus, the apparatus further comprising a module for controlling the electrical connection between the pins of the electrical plug and the pins of the plug converter apparatus. The module preferably comprises a switching means for enabling or disabling the connection between the pins of the electrical plug and the pins of the plug converter apparatus.

Description

PLUG CONVERTER APPARATUS
The present invention relates to plug converters and particularly to a modified plug converter which has further functionality affecting the operation of the converter.
Plug converters are already known and are used to convert a first pin configuration on a first plug to a second pin configuration. For example, continental Europe uses a two-pin plug configuration and UK uses a three pin- plug configuration and a plug converter can be used to allow a two pin plug to be used in a three pin receiving socket in the UK.
Such plug converters are described in GB2355865 and WO2004/082082. Each disclosure describes a different type on internal configuration within the plug converter to allow a two-pin plug to be received by the plug converter, and retained therein. Both disclosures refer to the plug converter having a casing and the two pin plug being received through an opening in the casing. GB2355865 differs to WO2004/082082 in that the former describes a tightening device such as a screw which is tightened by a user to clamp the two pin plug within the plug converter casing whereas the latter relates to an automatic self-locking configuration to retain the two pin plug by simply inserting it into the plug converter casing.
Adapters that have added functionality such as timers, light sensors or residual current devices are known. Such adapters are a separate unit have a three-pin configuration and receive a three pin plug which is plugged into a socket on the housing of the adapter. The adapter can then be plugged into a three-pin receiving socket in a wall and the functionality of the adapter will affect the device which is attached to the three pin plug. The present invention aims to modify a conventional plug converter to have the additional functionality of the adapter built into the converter. The invention provides a plug converter apparatus comprising a housing arranged to receive an electrical plug with a first pin configuration, the apparatus having electrical pins with a second pin configuration different to the first configuration and connecting means for electrically connecting the pins of the electrical plug with the electrical pins of the apparatus, the apparatus further comprising a module for controlling the electrical connection between the pins of the electrical plug and the pins of the plug converter apparatus.
Preferably the module comprises a switching means which is arranged to enable or disable the connection of the connecting means. The switching means is preferably controlled by a controller forming part of the module and the controller is arranged to determine conditions which affect whether the switching means should be disabled or enabled.
In one embodiment, the module is a predetermined timing operation and the module comprises a timer to determine the time which has elapsed. If a predetermined amount of time elapses, the controller causes the switch to be disabled. The predetermined amount of time would be pre-stored as a predetermined condition. This could be stored at them time of manufacture or user definable through a manual input on the module.
In a further embodiment, the module may determine current leakage. That is, the module may comprise a current leakage detection device which is arranged to detect any current leakage. If such leakage is detected, the detection device signals this to the controller which recognises such a signal as current leakage data and causes the switching means to be disabled.
In order that the present invention be more readily understood, embodiments thereof will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Fig. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the invention.
The preferred embodiment comprises a plug converter apparatus 1 having a housing (not shown). The housing comprises a cover and base portion (not shown) which can be permanently locked together or non-unitary in that it can be opened if required.
A converter section 2 is provided within the housing of the apparatus and is capable of converting a plug of a first configuration which is preferably a two pin plug ((not shown) typically used in continental Europe into the pin configuration of the apparatus which is different to that of the two-pin plug. In this embodiment the apparatus has a UK style three-pin configuration and pins are provided on the housing to be received by an appropriate three pin receiving socket.
The two-pin plug is inserted into the housing and retained therein in any appropriate manner which is known in the art. For example, the housing comprises an opening through which the two-pin plug is received and once within the housing the plug is retained by either requiring a user to clamp the plug in the housing or can be self locking such that the plug is retained in the housing once it passes a certain point. It will be appreciated that other ways of retained the plug are also envisaged such as opening the housing about a hinge, inserting the two- pin plug and locking the two pin plug whilst the housing is open.
The way in which the two-pin configuration is converted into the three-pin configuration of the housing is also known in the art and will not be discussed in detail. When the two-pin plug is inserted into the housing, an electrical connection exists between the pins of the two-pin plug and the three pins of the housing.
A module 3 is also provided in the apparatus 1 and comprises a switch 4 and a controller 5. The switch 4 is arranged to control the electrical connection in the converter section and the switch 4 itself is controlled by the controller 5. The module 3 provides further functionality which is to be used with the converter section 2. In this embodiment two types of functionality are provided. The first type is a timer 6 which is used to control the time the electrical connection in the converter section 2 is active. The timer 6 determines the amount of time elapsed and/or the time of the day and on this basis, the controller 5 causes the switch 4 to switch on or off the electrical connection in the converter section. The module 3 also comprises an input device 8 such as a keypad or dial (not shown) to enable a user to vary the elapsed time or time of day which is monitored by the timer 6.
The second type is a residual current device 7 which is used to detect any leakage current in the apparatus 1 and disable the electrical connection in the converter section 2 if any leakage current is detected. This is addition to a fuse which may be provided in the converter section.
It will be appreciated that only one of the two types of functionality may be provided and/or further types of functionality may be provided. For example, a further module could be light sensitive functionality such that a certain level of light will determine the status of the electrical connection in the converter section. Another type of functionality is a voltage transformer causing the voltage to be stepped up or down depending on the voltage output required.
The further functionality of the various types of modules may be added or removed from the apparatus 1 such that the module is detachable from the apparatus. This can be achieved by a user by opening the housing and inserting or removing the requisite module in an allocated space in the apparatus 1.

Claims

1. A plug converter apparatus comprising a housing arranged to receive an electrical plug with a first pin configuration, the apparatus having electrical pins with a second pin configuration different to the first configuration and connecting means for electrically connecting the pins of the electrical plug with the electrical pins of the apparatus, the apparatus further comprising a module for controlling the electrical connection between the pins of the electrical plug and the pins of the plug converter apparatus.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the module comprises a switching means for enabling or disabling the connection between the pins of the electrical plug and the pins of the plug converter apparatus.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 comprising a controller arranged to control the status of the switching means.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , 2, 3 wherein the module comprises a timer arranged to monitor a predetermined timing operation.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the predetermined timing operation is the elapsing of a predetermined amount of time.
6. The apparatus of claim 4 or 5 wherein the predetermined timing operation is a predetermined time of day.
7. The apparatus of claim 4, 5, or 6 wherein the module comprises an input means to enable a user to control the predetermined timing operation.
8. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the module comprises a means for detecting current leakage.
9. The apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the first pin configuration is a two-pin configuration and the second pin configuration is a three-pin configuration.
10. The apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described and shown in the drawing.
PCT/GB2007/004738 2006-12-11 2007-12-11 Plug converter apparatus WO2008071938A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0624680.5 2006-12-11
GB0624680A GB2444751B (en) 2006-12-11 2006-12-11 Plug converter apparatus

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2008071938A2 true WO2008071938A2 (en) 2008-06-19
WO2008071938A3 WO2008071938A3 (en) 2008-11-13

Family

ID=37711902

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2007/004738 WO2008071938A2 (en) 2006-12-11 2007-12-11 Plug converter apparatus

Country Status (3)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2444751B (en)
TW (1) TW200841534A (en)
WO (1) WO2008071938A2 (en)

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102004028915A1 (en) * 2004-06-15 2006-01-12 Isotronic Mezger Kg Multi adaptor plug for e.g. portable computer, has socket and plug connectors mechanically and fixedly connected with each other, and switching unit establishing electrical connection between socket and selected connector

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2346268B (en) * 1999-01-18 2002-12-11 Mark Loughborough Power supplies
US6330144B1 (en) * 2000-04-04 2001-12-11 Chiu-Shan Lee Multi-voltage multi-pole safety electric adapter
TWM241879U (en) * 2003-09-08 2004-08-21 Well Shin Technology Co Ltd Multi-functional adapter

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102004028915A1 (en) * 2004-06-15 2006-01-12 Isotronic Mezger Kg Multi adaptor plug for e.g. portable computer, has socket and plug connectors mechanically and fixedly connected with each other, and switching unit establishing electrical connection between socket and selected connector

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0624680D0 (en) 2007-01-17
TW200841534A (en) 2008-10-16
GB2444751A (en) 2008-06-18
GB2444751B (en) 2008-11-26
WO2008071938A3 (en) 2008-11-13

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