[go: up one dir, main page]

EP3535815B1 - Adaptateur de prise de courant de voyage pouvant être mis à la terre - Google Patents

Adaptateur de prise de courant de voyage pouvant être mis à la terre Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP3535815B1
EP3535815B1 EP17804456.6A EP17804456A EP3535815B1 EP 3535815 B1 EP3535815 B1 EP 3535815B1 EP 17804456 A EP17804456 A EP 17804456A EP 3535815 B1 EP3535815 B1 EP 3535815B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
contact
plug
earth
travel
housing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP17804456.6A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP3535815A1 (fr
Inventor
Alasdair Max Paul Barnett
Bruce Stanley John Hutchison
Richard Albert Norman
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Travel Blue Ltd
Original Assignee
Travel Blue Ltd
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 Travel Blue Ltd filed Critical Travel Blue Ltd
Publication of EP3535815A1 publication Critical patent/EP3535815A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3535815B1 publication Critical patent/EP3535815B1/fr
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

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
    • 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
    • H01R13/648—Protective earth or shield arrangements on coupling devices, e.g. anti-static shielding  
    • H01R13/652—Protective earth or shield arrangements on coupling devices, e.g. anti-static shielding   with earth pin, blade or socket
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R27/00—Coupling parts adapted for co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts
    • 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
    • H01R13/648—Protective earth or shield arrangements on coupling devices, e.g. anti-static shielding  
    • H01R13/655—Protective earth or shield arrangements on coupling devices, e.g. anti-static shielding   with earth brace
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R2103/00—Two poles
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R24/00—Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure
    • H01R24/66—Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure with pins, blades or analogous contacts and secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. to a wall
    • H01R24/70—Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure with pins, blades or analogous contacts and secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. to a wall with additional earth or shield contacts

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a travel plug adapter, which is also referred to herein as a travel plug for short.
  • a travel plug adapter With the help of such an adapter, power plugs of a specific (domestic) standard can be plugged into the sockets available at the travel destination.
  • the travel plug adapter requires a plug receptacle of the first standard and a power plug of a different standard.
  • the present invention relates to travel plug adapters that enable plugging into sockets of at least a first and a second standard. For this purpose, power plugs of a first and a second standard can be used alternatively with the travel plug adapter.
  • Travel plug adapters or travel plugs of this type are becoming increasingly popular in times of increasing global travel and business activity. Therefore, there is a need for compact, easily transportable travel plug adapters that are compatible with sockets of several different standards.
  • the Chinese patent application CN 101872911 A discloses a travel plug adapter with a substantially circular housing. Power plugs are housed inside the housing, which can be selected and pushed out of the housing. In this way, at least three different power plug types can be used.
  • the desired power plug is selected by rotating the upper housing section relative to the lower housing section.
  • the upper housing section has a single outwardly projecting actuating slide. This actuating slide can be engaged with various power plug elements.
  • the power plug elements are arranged side by side. To do this, it is rotated into a position above the power plug, which is pushed out from the bottom of the housing.
  • the German patent specification DE 10 2011 014 920 B4 discloses another travel plug, which is referred to as a universal plug adapter.
  • this travel plug several sets of pins are provided in an outer housing. Each set of pins is connected to an operating element, with which it can be moved from the outside.
  • the operating elements are guided through sliding slots in the housing.
  • the operating elements are additionally guided by a locking plate provided inside the outer housing.
  • This locking plate has a guide rail through whose recesses the operating elements can move.
  • the guide rail provides an upper and a lower end position.
  • the locking plate is spring-loaded so that an operating element can be held firmly in the upper or lower end position.
  • the operating element and thus the corresponding set of pins can be released from the end positions and moved up or down by actuating a selector lever provided externally next to the operating elements. By pressing this selector lever, the locking plate is moved against the spring force. This allows the pins to be moved from their upper or lower end positions using the operating elements.
  • WO 2009/152629 A1 discloses a travel plug adapter according to the preamble of claim 1 with an intermediate plug set.
  • the intermediate plug set comprises an AU plug contact. This has a ground pin, which is connected to another ground contact via a pickup.
  • CN 204966898 U discloses another travel plug adapter which provides contact pins and ground pins of different standards.
  • the external operating parts are used both to move the pin sets from a first end position, a standby position, to a second end position, a use position, and to lock the pin sets in these positions.
  • plug adapters For both plug adapters from these disclosures, as well as for other commercially available plug adapters, high electrical safety is important. Reliable grounding of the plug adapter plays a particularly important role.
  • the plug adapters are usually grounded when a selected plug is fully inserted into its operating position. It is conceivable that However, an electrical contact that could be harmful to the user may occur beforehand.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide an improved travel plug adapter.
  • the travel adapter should be inexpensive and reliable to manufacture, easy to transport and operate, and offer a high level of electrical safety.
  • the travel plug adapter according to the invention has a housing that can have various shapes. For example, a cuboid shape is generally practical for transport. However, the mechanism of the travel plug adapter is designed so that the housing shape 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 designed in one piece or in multiple parts. It has proven expedient to design the housing in two parts, namely with a lower housing part and an upper housing part. Both can be detachably connected to one another, for example by mechanical means, expediently by a screw connection.
  • the housing should have at least one plug receptacle. This is preferably provided on the top of the housing.
  • the plug receptacle can have various shapes. For example, if a Schuko plug is to be accommodated, the plug receptacle will have a substantially cylindrical recess and, in addition, contact sockets. to accommodate the contact pins of the Schuko plug. For other plug types, a recess or groove is not required. It may be useful to provide a flat top of the housing in which several contact sockets are located. As a rule, at least two contact sockets should be provided, forming a contact socket pair for accepting a plug of one standard.
  • plugs may be useful to provide several contact socket pairs in order to accommodate several plugs of different standards. If the plugs also have earth conductors and the plug receptacle is to offer the option 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 can 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 pin sets.)
  • the plug of the first standard can be, for example, a Euro or Schuko plug, and the plug of the second standard can be a US plug.
  • the plugs can be two-pin, i.e. ungrounded, or three-pin, so that an earth pole can be provided. This travel plug adapter is therefore suitable for use in more than one country. It is practical and usually necessary if the first plug and the second plug are used alternately.
  • Plugs conforming to many standards have a plug body that extends into the socket, the shape of which is determined by the socket's shape.
  • Schuko plugs for example, have such a plug body.
  • This plug body has a basic cylindrical shape with two protruding grooves and two indentations. The grooves determine the orientation of the plug body required by the standard.
  • Grounding contacts can be provided in the indentations.
  • Two contact pins protrude from the bottom of the plug body of the Schuko plug. When the plug is in use, these are the current-carrying contacts, i.e., the positive and negative poles.
  • a Euro plug also has a plug body that is inserted into a socket and whose shape is determined at least in part by the shape of the socket.
  • Plugs for Switzerland and Italy have similar plug bodies.
  • the plug bodies of a Swiss plug and an Italian plug are similar. Both have three contact pins at the front.
  • the outer contact pins form the positive and negative poles.
  • the middle contact pin is for earthing.
  • In the Italian plug it is centrally located between the contact pins for the positive and negative poles.
  • the Swiss plug it is offset from the line of these two contact pins.
  • plug body is intended to describe the part of a plug that is inserted into the socket and whose shape is at least substantially determined by the socket's standard.
  • the plug main housing serves as cable routing; recessed grips or the like are often also provided.
  • the plug main housing is not determined by the shape of the socket.
  • Plugs of other standards do not require a plug body.
  • the corresponding sockets have a generally flat top surface, which only has sockets for receiving contact pins. These sockets are usually circular or slotted. Plugs that do not have a plug body, but rather only have contact pins protruding from a plug housing, are suitable for the corresponding sockets.
  • the travel plug adapter can 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 usually all of the plugs, can be moved from a standby position, in which the plug is essentially located in the housing, into a use position. In the use position, the connector is completely or at least partially outside the housing. It is often possible for the connector to be moved completely back into the housing when returning to the ready position. It is advisable that the connector can be moved back into the housing at least far enough so that it does not interfere with other connectors.
  • a travel plug adapter should have a first plug, which comprises a plug body and a grounding contact.
  • This first plug could therefore be, for example, a Schuko plug with a plug body of the known cylindrical shape and two contact pins, which serve as the positive and negative poles.
  • both the plug body and the first and second contact pins are arranged outside the housing for use.
  • the plug body protrudes from the housing and the first and second contact pins, in turn, protrude from the plug body.
  • the two contact pins are retracted into the plug body and the plug body itself is retracted into the housing.
  • the first plug can of course also be a plug of a different standard.
  • the travel plug adapter according to the present invention can further comprise a second plug of a different standard, which in turn has a third contact pin and a fourth contact pin.
  • the second plug can also have a ground contact. The second plug can thus be moved into the use position by having the third contact pin and the fourth contact pin protrude from the plug body of the first plug. These can then be inserted into a socket of a suitable standard without this plug body.
  • the earth contact is to be maintained both in the use position and in transition positions between the
  • the earth contact must be connected to the first earth contact in the standby and use positions. It is advisable if the earth contact receptacle is also connected to the earth contact in the standby position.
  • the earth contact receptacle is connected to the first earth contact (or to the remaining earth contacts) by a movable contact clamp.
  • a contact clamp is expediently made of metal. It can have a fixed end that is mechanically connected to a conductor. It can also have a movable end that is mechanically movably connected to a conductor. In either case, both the fixed end and the movable end are electrically connected to the conductor.
  • This conductor can be the earth contact or the earth contact receptacle, or a conductor arranged between the earth contact and the earth contact receptacle.
  • the movable end may be connected in a mechanically movable manner.
  • the earth contact can then be guided through the movable end of the contact clamp or along it. This is particularly useful if the Earth contact is designed in the form of a pin or pin, for example in the form of a cylindrical pin or a flat pin.
  • At least one or more contact rails are provided within the travel plug adapter. These contact rails can be arranged electrically, but also mechanically, between the earth contact receptacle and the earth contact. Such a contact rail is well suited for use with a contact clamp.
  • the contact clamp is guided along the contact rail, i.e., in particular, its movable end is guided past the contact rail. It is often particularly useful if the movable end of the contact clamp engages around the contact rail.
  • the movable end of the contact clamp can have two opposing contact jaws that can clamp around the contact rail. It can also be expedient if the fixed end of a contact clamp is connected to the contact rail. The contact rail can then hold the contact clamp in a desired, favorable position at the fixed end.
  • the contact rail is mechanically connected to the earth contact receptacle (in addition to the electrical connection).
  • the contact bar is then mechanically held by the earth contact. This is particularly advantageous when using the earth contact of a Schuko plug. This mechanical connection allows for a compact Design of the plug with simultaneous safe and preferably direct contact between the earth contact receptacle and the contact rail.
  • the earth contact of a Schuko plug encloses the cylindrical plug housing in accordance with the German standard, they are mechanically particularly stable. Such an earth contact is expediently (and usually) designed as an earth contact track. Tilting is virtually impossible, particularly in the plane defined by the opposing earth contacts, so that mechanical play only occurs perpendicular to this plane. In a compact travel plug with many movable parts, little surface area is available for anchoring components. It is therefore advisable to use the earth contact of a Schuko plug to anchor at least one contact rail. It may also be advisable to use the earth contact of a Schuko plug to anchor at least two or all of the provided contact rails.
  • the contact rails are connected to the earth contact of a Schuko plug with one end face. It is advisable to screw the contact rails to the earth contact of a Schuko plug. This creates a stable mechanical connection which is detachable and can also serve for electrical current conduction. It is therefore advisable to screw them together using an electrically conductive screw. It is therefore also advisable to provide a blind hole and a thread in the end face of the contact rail(s). This blind hole can accommodate a screw. This connection can be made so strong and secure that only one connection is required on one side of a contact rail, preferably only on one end face. Contact rails with a round cross-section are held particularly satisfactorily by screwing.
  • a travel plug adapter is particularly useful in which, in addition to the first plug, a second plug of a second standard is provided, which is also assigned an actuating element which is designed to move the second plug between a standby position in which the second plug is located substantially inside the housing and a use position in which the second plug is located outside the housing in a usable manner, and a second earth contact is assigned to the second plug.
  • a travel plug adapter with at least a first and a second plug is also useful, with the first plug having an earth contact and the contact clamp connected to the earth contact with its movable end, and the second plug having an earth contact connected to the fixed end of the same contact clamp. It is particularly useful if a common contact bar is provided for both plugs. Accordingly, it is useful if the earth contact of the second plug runs along the contact bar with the movable end of a contact clamp.
  • connectors are also particularly useful for connectors to be guided along sliding slots in the housing.
  • This guide facilitates the guidance of contact clamps, especially along contact rails. This also applies to the provision of guide slots inside the connector.
  • guide slots can also be provided in connector bodies.
  • the travel plug adapter is mechanically designed such that one of the plugs, for example the first plug, has a plug body and the plug body has guide slots.
  • a guide slot can be provided for a support element of a second plug.
  • Such a support element can be, for example, a support beam that guides contact pins of the second plug.
  • the provision of such a guide slot allows the support element to be guided deep into the plug body of the first plug, thus enabling precise mechanical guidance of the contact pins it carries.
  • the guidance is particularly precise if such a guide slot and a sliding slot in the plug housing are arranged in mutually parallel planes. This arrangement allows the support element to be guided by two slots and thus provides mechanically very secure and precise guidance.
  • This guide not only offers mechanical advantages but also increases electrical safety. Since the displacement path of the corresponding support element is precisely predetermined, jamming or damage to the electrical cables required in this area can be largely avoided.
  • the second plug may have a ground contact positioned at a distance from the plug body of the first plug.
  • a ground contact is not located on the outside of the plug body, but is typically located a few millimeters apart (2 to 10 mm).
  • the ground contact can be provided in the form of a third contact pin positioned parallel to the contact pins for the positive and negative poles. Reliable grounding is particularly important for a travel plug adapter with such a compact design.
  • the travel plug adapter can have more than the first and second plugs; travel plug adapters with three or four plugs are often practical.
  • a third plug can be provided, with at least one contact located in the plug body of the first plug. It is conceivable, for example, that the earth contact of the third plug is located in the plug body of the first plug. It would also be conceivable for two current-carrying contacts of the third plug (positive and negative poles) to be located in the plug body of the first plug.
  • the travel plug adapter is designed so that the second and third plugs have the same polarity. This creates the same poles on one side of the plug's center plane, for example the positive pole on the left and the negative pole on the right.
  • the center plane divides the plug down the middle between the live poles, or at least the live poles of the second and third plugs. This allows for easy and safe wiring of the plug.
  • a travel plug according to the invention with a selection slider, in which a sliding position is provided for each plug and the selection slider is connected to an operating button provided on the outside of the housing and, depending on the sliding position of the selection slider, only one sliding of the selected plug between the standby position and the use position is permitted.
  • a selection slider may comprise a locking element by which other plugs are locked in the ready position.
  • a selection slider can be omitted.
  • This type of travel plug adapter therefore lacks a selection slider in addition to the operating sliders. This is particularly useful when a different mechanism than the selection slider prevents the simultaneous operation of more than one operating slider.
  • a locking element which locks at least the first plug or the second plug in the use position.
  • This locking element is expediently connected to a release button provided on the outside of the housing. It can be spring-loaded against the release direction.
  • the provision of a locking element is particularly expedient so that plugs are reliably held in the use position. Because, for example, the first and second as well as the third and fourth contact pins can have different lengths, a slight displacement from the use position might not be immediately noticed, but can be reliably prevented with the locking element.
  • the travel plug adapter housing prefferably has sliding slots or similar recesses.
  • the actuating elements or sliders can slide in these sliding slots.
  • An additional sliding slot can also be provided for the selection slider. Sliding slots allow the movement of a slider while simultaneously guiding it. They therefore represent an advantageous and cost-effective mechanical solution. Since several actuating elements or sliders are usually provided on the travel plug adapter, it is particularly advantageous if these can be easily guided in sliding slots.
  • the optional locking element can be designed as a separate component from the selector slide.
  • the locking element can also be a component connected to the selector slide. Designing it as a separate component has potential manufacturing advantages.
  • the selector slide is a component that does not have to transmit or withstand large forces. However, by its very nature, the locking element must reliably exert enough force to securely hold a connector of any standard in the operating position.
  • the locking element is also a separate component from the actuating slides.
  • the locking element is considered a separate component if it has at least one component that is not also part of the selection slide or an actuating slide.
  • all components of the locking element are designed separately from the components of the selection slide and the components of the actuating slides.
  • the (optional) locking element is connected to a release button, which is provided on the outside of the housing and can be actuated in a release direction.
  • a release button allows the intuitive and safe release of the locking element when a plug is to be returned from the use position to the ready position.
  • This design appears safer and more reliable than those in which certain movements of the actuation slide or the selection slide, or even the plug itself, lead to the plug being released.
  • the release button can also be provided with warning labels or designed in a warning color, such as red.
  • the release button can be part of the housing, for example, if a suitable design allows part of the housing to be depressed. As a rule, it is expedient to provide a recess in the housing and to accommodate the release button as a part independent of the housing in this recess.
  • the release button can expediently be arranged opposite the selection slide and/or the actuation slides.
  • the locking element is spring-loaded, if necessary, against the release direction.
  • the spring-loaded locking element allows the connectors to reliably engage automatically in a locking position as soon as the connectors are in the usable position. It is mechanically advantageous if the springs act exactly against the release direction.
  • a practical design of an (optional) locking element is one in which the locking element has at least one locking rib, and this locking rib has a sliding surface and a locking projection. An element connected to a moving plug can slide along the sliding surface. This element can then engage the locking projection, thus locking the plug connected to the element.
  • a travel plug adapter is useful in which at least one plug has a sliding nose or is mechanically firmly connected to one and the sliding nose runs on the sliding surface and can, if necessary, assume a locking position on a locking projection.
  • a travel plug adapter with a locking mechanism featuring multiple locking tabs is also useful.
  • the number of locking tabs can be as large as the number of plugs. It may also be practical and sufficient if the number of locking tabs is fewer than the number of plugs.
  • both sliding lugs run on the same locking rib of the locking element. Since both sliding lugs run on the same locking rib, both sliding lugs run on the same sliding surface and the same locking projection, where both sliding lugs assume a locking position. Since the travel plug adapter is not intended to accommodate two plugs in the use position at the same time, the sliding lugs alternatively assume this locking position on the locking projection. However, by having two sliding lugs, for example, two sliding lugs on adjacent plugs, share a suitably dimensioned locking bar, the number of locking bars can be reduced, making the travel plug adapter even more compact.
  • Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a travel plug adapter 10 according to the invention, which is ready for use but not yet in the operating position. Rather, all plugs are in the standby position, ie, in the housing.
  • 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 plug housing.
  • the plug receptacle 16 On the upper side of the travel plug adapter, and thus in the area of the upper housing part 12, is the plug receptacle 16.
  • This has a plurality of contact sockets 18.
  • 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 for receiving a US earth pin or AU earth pin.
  • a A socket for contact pins according to the Schuko standard and a corresponding earthing must be provided. Such earthing is Fig. 8 shown.
  • the release button 20 is also provided on the side of the housing. It is used to lock and release actuating elements.
  • the first actuating slide 22, with which the US contacts can be pushed out, the second actuating slide 24, with which the AU contacts can be pushed out, and the third actuating slide 26, with which a Schuko plug can be pushed out, is provided on the front of the housing.
  • Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the travel plug adapter according to the invention, in which the actuating slide 22 has been moved to its lower position. Accordingly, the contact pins for the US plug 28 protrude from the housing.
  • the US plug 28 comprises two current-conducting contact pins, pins 30A and 30B, as well as a grounding pin 32.
  • the travel plug can be inserted into a US-standard socket. This standard does not require the use of a plug body.
  • the housing underside of the travel plug adapter 10 then rests flush with the flat surface of the US-standard plug.
  • Fig. 3 The same travel plug is shown from a slightly different perspective.
  • the underside 34 is flat.
  • a plurality of openings 36 and elements are provided on this underside.
  • the openings 36A and 36B are provided for conductive Schuko contact pins.
  • the openings 36C and 36D are provided for conductive AU contact pins.
  • the opening 38 is provided for an additional earth pin.
  • the opening 38, together with the openings 36A and 36B, is provided in the plug body 40 of the Schuko plug.
  • a fuse insert 46 is also provided next to this plug body.
  • Fig. 4 shows, from the same perspective, the travel plug adapter according to the invention, with the Schuko plug moved into the use position. Accordingly, the third actuating slide 26 has been moved to its lower position.
  • the plug body 40 of the Schuko plug protrudes above the underside 34 of the housing.
  • the current-carrying contact pins 42A and 42B of the Schuko plug protrude from this.
  • ground contacts 44 are located on the sides of the plug body.
  • FIG. 5 This figure shows a perspective view of selected interacting components of the travel plug 10. With the upper housing section removed, the view is directed into the interior of the plug, revealing primarily the components that are housed in the lower housing section 14. It should also be noted that not all components required for the plug's function are shown. A selection has been made for the sake of clarity.
  • the plug body 40 of the Schuko plug is visible. This contains openings 36A and 36B for the current-conducting contact pins of the Schuko plug. Also visible is opening 36E, which is intended for a ground contact pin. Another opening is also visible in this illustration: opening 56 for the ground pin of the AU plug.
  • the current-conducting contact pins 30A and 30B for the US plug are in their ready position, i.e., retracted into the housing. Accordingly, the first actuating 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. Accordingly, the support beam 50 moves downward when the first actuating slide 22 is moved toward the housing bottom.
  • the contact pins 30A and 30B are guided in the plug body 40 of the Schuko plug.
  • the Schuko plug thus provides a guide for contact pins of a different standard.
  • Fig. 6 shows a similar perspective view of a similar selection of interacting components.
  • the support beam 52 for the AU plug is also visible 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 area 54.
  • the beam ends 54A and 54B support the current-conducting contacts of the AU plug. They mechanically guide these contacts from the (illustrated) ready position to the use position.
  • the beam end 54C guides the AU earth pin. The earth pin is thus moved from the (illustrated) ready position by the Fig. 5 visible opening 56 is moved into the use position.
  • Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of other selected interacting components of the travel plug adapter.
  • the actuating slide 22 for the US plug and the actuating slide 26 for the EU plug are visible.
  • the support arm 50 is connected to the actuating slide 22.
  • the support arm 50 guides the ground pin 32, which is moved outside the plug body 40 of the Schuko plug.
  • the support arm 50 guides the current-conducting contacts of the US plug inside the plug body 40 of the Schuko plug.
  • a guide slot 58 is provided in the plug body 40. This guide slot 58 allows the support bar 50 to engage deeply into the plug body 40, thus enabling secure mechanical guidance of the US contact pins.
  • Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of selected interacting components of an embodiment according to the present invention. Shown are a variety of contact pins for plugs of different standards. The corresponding contact pins can be used in a travel plug adapter according to the preceding illustrations. However, their mechanical arrangement differs slightly from those of the previously shown embodiment.
  • the contact pins are in turn guided on the support frame 60. More specifically, the support frame 60A, which carries the contact pins for a plug for Australia, and the support frame 60B, which carries the contact pins for a plug for the USA, are designated.
  • the current-carrying contact 62 for Australia and the earth contact 64 for Australia are located on the support frame 60A.
  • the earth contact for the USA is located on the support frame 60B (the current-carrying contacts for the USA are not visible in this illustration; some contact pins have also been omitted for the sake of clarity). However, the earth contact 68 for the UK plug is shown.
  • the earth contact track 70 serves as the earth contact for a Schuko plug. According to the embodiment of Fig. 1 Of course, another earth contact would also be possible, for example a socket like the sockets 18D or 18E shown there.
  • the ground contact track is connected to a first contact rail 72 and a second contact rail 74. (They can also be referred to as contact strips.)
  • the connection is electrically conductive, but the connection is also designed such that the first contact rail 72 and the second contact rail 74 are mechanically held by the ground contact track 70 for the Schuko plug.
  • the electrical contact can be electrically transferred from the first contact bar 72 to the AU ground contact 64.
  • the first contact clamp 76 is used for this purpose.
  • the second contact clamp is used to transfer the electrical contact from the second contact bar 74 to the UK ground contact 68.
  • the electrical contact is transferred from the second contact bar 74 to the US ground contact 66 via the third contact clamp 80.
  • the contact clips each have a movable end 82 and a fixed end 84.
  • the movable end is referred to as "movable” with regard to its relative movement to the ground contact or the contact rail. In individual cases, it is stationary within the housing.
  • the movable end 82 of the first contact clip 76 is movable relative to the first contact rail 72. With its two contact jaws 86A and 86B, the movable end 82 can slide along the first contact rail 72, thereby maintaining electrical contact. This sliding occurs while the ground contact 64 slides downward when the corresponding plug is transferred from the (shown) ready position to the use position.
  • the fixed end 84 is firmly connected to the earth contact 64. It could be connected directly to this contact, but in this case it is Ground contact holder 88 is connected to ground contact 64. The ground contact holder 88 thus holds the ground contact 64.
  • the fixed end 84 of the first contact clamp 76 is, as can be seen, screwed to the ground contact holder 88.
  • the movable end 82 of the second contact strip 74 can also be expediently designed with two opposing contact jaws. Passing the ground contact through such contact jaws is particularly expedient for cylindrical contact pins.
  • the term "movable end” refers to the third contact clamp 80 with regard to the relative movement of this end to the ground pin. In general, it is also expedient to attach the fixed end of a contact clamp to the end of a contact strip, for example, by screwing it.
  • the UK earth contact 68 is also connected to the earth contact track 70 via the second contact strip 74.
  • the connection is made via the second contact clamp 78, whose fixed end 84 is firmly connected (and in this case also without an earth contact holder) to the earth contact 68.
  • a screw connection again serves as a generally suitable connection.
  • the movable end 82 of the second contact clamp 78 is moved along the second contact strip 74 when the earth contact 68 is transferred to its (lower) use position. Consequently, the second contact strip 74 carries two contact clamps. This is generally within the scope of This is a useful concept for the present invention. It is also useful within the scope of the present invention if the movable end of a first contact clamp (here clamp 78) and the fixed end of a second contact clamp (here clamp 80) are connected to a contact pin.
  • a travel adapter can be manufactured that is very convenient to use, yet highly prone to operating errors. Interestingly, the travel adapter can still be manufactured inexpensively in this way and can also be manufactured inexpensively and reliably, even if larger error tolerances must be allowed for in mass production.

Landscapes

  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)

Claims (12)

  1. Adaptateur de fiche de voyage (10), qui présente un boîtier et un logement de fiche selon la norme Schuko, lequel présente un premier logement de contact de terre (70) et présente au moins une première fiche (28, 38) d'une première norme, un élément d'actionnement (26) étant associé à la première fiche (28, 38), lequel est destiné à déplacer la première fiche (28, 38) entre une position d'attente, dans laquelle la première fiche (28, 38) se trouve essentiellement à l'intérieur du boîtier, et une position d'utilisation dans laquelle la première fiche (28, 38) se trouve à l'extérieur du boîtier de manière utilisable, et un premier contact de terre (32, 44, 64, 66, 68) est associé à la première fiche (28, 38), lequel peut être relié électriquement au logement de contact de terre (70), le logement de contact de terre (70) étant relié au premier contact de terre (32, 44, 64, 66, 68) aussi bien dans la position d'utilisation que dans des positions de transition entre la position d'attente et la position d'utilisation, le contact électrique entre le logement de contact de terre (70) et le contact de terre (32, 44, 64, 66, 68) étant transmis par au moins un rail de contact (72, 74), caractérisé en ce que en ce que l'au moins une barre de contact (72, 74) est reliée mécaniquement au logement de contact de terre (70) et qu'il existe un contact direct entre le logement de contact de terre (70) et l'au moins une barre de contact (72, 74) et dans lequel la liaison du logement de contact de terre (70) avec le premier contact de terre (32, 44, 64, 66, 68) est réalisée par une pince de contact mobile (76, 78, 80).
  2. Adaptateur de fiche de voyage (10) selon la revendication précédente, dans lequel le premier logement de contact de terre (18D, 18E, 70) est également relié au premier contact de terre (44) dans la position d'attente.
  3. Adaptateur de fiche de voyage (10) selon la revendication précédente, dans lequel la pince de contact (76, 78, 80) comporte une extrémité fixe (84) reliée mécaniquement de manière fixe au premier contact de terre (32, 44, 64, 66, 68) ou à la barre de contact (72, 74) et une extrémité mobile (82) reliée mécaniquement de manière mobile au premier contact de terre (32, 44, 64, 66, 68) ou à la barre de contact (72, 74).
  4. Adaptateur de fiche de voyage (10) selon la revendication précédente, dans lequel l'extrémité mobile (82) est reliée de manière mécaniquement mobile au premier contact de terre (32, 44, 64, 66, 68).
  5. Adaptateur de fiche de voyage (10) selon l'une des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le premier contact de terre est réalisé sous la forme d'une broche cylindrique.
  6. Adaptateur de fiche de voyage (10) selon l'une des revendications 3 à 5, dans lequel le premier contact de terre (44) est relié à l'extrémité fixe (84) de la pince de contact (76, 78, 80).
  7. Adaptateur de fiche de voyage (10) selon l'une des revendications 3 à 6, dans lequel l'extrémité mobile (82) de la pince de contact (76, 78, 80) est guidée sur la barre de contact (72, 74).
  8. Adaptateur de fiche de voyage (10) selon la revendication précédente, dans lequel au moins la première barre de contact (72) et une deuxième barre de contact (74) sont reliées mécaniquement au logement de contact de terre (70)
  9. Adaptateur de fiche de voyage (10) selon l'une des revendications 3 à 8, dans lequel il est en outre prévu une deuxième fiche (28) d'une deuxième norme, à laquelle est également associé un élément d'actionnement (24) qui est conçu pour déplacer la deuxième fiche (28) entre une position d'attente, dans laquelle la deuxième fiche (28) se trouve sensiblement à l'intérieur du boîtier, et une position d'utilisation, dans laquelle la deuxième fiche (28) se trouve de manière utilisable à l'extérieur du boîtier, et un deuxième contact de terre (32) est associé à la deuxième fiche,
  10. Adaptateur de fiche de voyage (10) selon la revendication précédente, dans lequel le premier contact de terre (44) est connecté à l'extrémité fixe (84) de la première pince de contact (76) et le deuxième contact de terre (66) de la deuxième fiche (28) est connecté à l'extrémité mobile (82) d'une deuxième pince de contact (80).
  11. Adaptateur de fiche de voyage (10) selon les revendications 9 à 10, dans lequel la pince de contact (80) est reliée par son extrémité mobile (82) au premier contact de terre (66), et dans lequel le deuxième contact de terre (68) est relié à l'extrémité fixe (84) de la pince de contact (80).
  12. Adaptateur de fiche de voyage (10) selon la revendication précédente, dans lequel, pour le deuxième contact de terre (68) de la deuxième fiche (28), l'extrémité mobile (82) se déplace sur une deuxième barre de contact (74).
EP17804456.6A 2016-11-01 2017-11-01 Adaptateur de prise de courant de voyage pouvant être mis à la terre Active EP3535815B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP16196775.7A EP3316414A1 (fr) 2016-11-01 2016-11-01 Adaptateur de prise de courant de voyage pouvant être mis à la terre
PCT/EP2017/077985 WO2018083134A1 (fr) 2016-11-01 2017-11-01 Adaptateur de voyage avec mise à la terre sûre

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3535815A1 EP3535815A1 (fr) 2019-09-11
EP3535815B1 true EP3535815B1 (fr) 2025-05-07

Family

ID=57218815

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP16196775.7A Withdrawn EP3316414A1 (fr) 2016-11-01 2016-11-01 Adaptateur de prise de courant de voyage pouvant être mis à la terre
EP17804456.6A Active EP3535815B1 (fr) 2016-11-01 2017-11-01 Adaptateur de prise de courant de voyage pouvant être mis à la terre

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP16196775.7A Withdrawn EP3316414A1 (fr) 2016-11-01 2016-11-01 Adaptateur de prise de courant de voyage pouvant être mis à la terre

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (2) EP3316414A1 (fr)
ES (1) ES3036913T3 (fr)
WO (1) WO2018083134A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN112789771B (zh) * 2018-09-27 2023-07-25 世界连接股份公司 安全装置和旅行适配器
GB2587784B (en) * 2019-07-15 2024-05-29 Hyphenate Inc Multi-plug adapter
CN110289532B (zh) * 2019-07-31 2024-04-19 东莞市万旅电器有限公司 一种转换接头
CN110474187A (zh) * 2019-09-17 2019-11-19 东莞市佳旅电器有限公司 一种多路滑动式小插头
IT202100002768A1 (it) * 2021-02-08 2021-05-08 Univ Degli Studi Di Firenze Adattatore per presa elettrica di sicurezza ad utilizzo facilitato e con ritenuta magnetica
KR20250000954U (ko) * 2023-12-13 2025-06-20 둥관 베스트 트래블 일렉트로닉스 컴퍼니 리미티드 다국적 전원 컨버터를 위한 과부하 방지 장치

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102150331A (zh) * 2008-06-17 2011-08-10 华特·鲁夫拿 具一插头部分和一可插入插头部分的插座部分的三极适配器套装
CN101872911B (zh) 2010-05-18 2012-11-07 智嘉通讯科技(东莞)有限公司 旋转选择推出式多国电源转接器
DE102011014920B4 (de) 2011-03-24 2013-02-21 Xyz Science Co., Ltd. Universeller Steckeradapter mit verschiedenen Steckstiftsätzen
CN204966898U (zh) * 2015-09-21 2016-01-13 蔡梦淑 一种地极连接结构及应用该结构的多国插座转换器

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP3535815A1 (fr) 2019-09-11
WO2018083134A1 (fr) 2018-05-11
ES3036913T3 (en) 2025-09-25
EP3316414A1 (fr) 2018-05-02

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP3535815B1 (fr) Adaptateur de prise de courant de voyage pouvant être mis à la terre
EP3535816B1 (fr) Adaptateur de voyage compact avec mise à la terre
EP3535817B1 (fr) Adaptateur électrique de voyage facile à utiliser
EP2297824B1 (fr) Boîtier de connexion tripolaire avec une partie mâle et une partie femelle s'enfichant dans la partie mâle
EP3252884B1 (fr) Prise de voyage compacte
EP2297825B1 (fr) Connecteur multiple
WO2002063722A2 (fr) Ensemble connecteur de voyage
DE3024244C2 (fr)
DE2853654A1 (de) Stromanschluss mit schutz gegen elektrischen schlag
EP3671979B1 (fr) Adaptateur de voyage ainsi qu'ensemble comprenant un adaptateur de voyage
EP2824770B1 (fr) Prise multiple
EP3535818B1 (fr) Adaptateur de prise de voyage protégé pour le transport
CH711635B1 (de) Energiezähler-Anschlussklemmenblock mit Überbrückungsvorrichtung.
EP3459146B1 (fr) Adaptateur électrique de voyage facile à utiliser
DE102015106628B3 (de) Elektrischer Netzstecker
CH653181A5 (en) Electrical connecting element
DE102018006922B4 (de) Robuster Reisesteckeradapter
EP3459145B1 (fr) Adaptateur électrique de voyage sûr
EP3316420A1 (fr) Adaptateur électrique de voyage facile à utiliser
EP3764478A1 (fr) Prise de courant de sécurité
EP3316419A1 (fr) Adaptateur électrique de voyage sûr
DE8009262U1 (de) Elektrisches Verbindungsstück
DE2513392A1 (de) Beleuchtungsvorrichtung

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: UNKNOWN

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION HAS BEEN MADE

PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20190527

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

DAV Request for validation of the european patent (deleted)
DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: EXAMINATION IS IN PROGRESS

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20210311

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20241129

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 502017016844

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: LANGUAGE OF EP DOCUMENT: GERMAN

P01 Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered

Free format text: CASE NUMBER: UPC_APP_2006_3535815/2025

Effective date: 20250731

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20250507

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 3036913

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

Effective date: 20250925

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20250507

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20250908

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG9D

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20250807

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20250808

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20250507

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20250507

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20250507

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20250507

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20250807

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20250907

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20250507