CN109417256B - Safety travel conversion plug - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a travel switching plug having a housing, a socket, and at least a first plug (34) of a first standard and a second plug (36) of a second standard, wherein the first plug (34) and the second plug (36) are selectively movable from a standby position, in which the plugs are substantially disposed in the housing, to an active position, wherein the first plug (34) is connected to a first drive slide (22) for moving it from a standby position into a use position, and the second plug is connected to a second drive slide (24) for moving it from a standby position into a use position, characterized in that a sliding selector (44) is provided which, in its first position, releases the first plug (34), or, in its second position it releases the second plug (36) so that the first or second plug is moved into the position of use.

Description

Safety travel conversion plug

Technical Field

The invention relates to a travel switch plug, also referred to herein simply as a "travel switch". With this converter, a power plug of a certain (domestic) standard can be plugged into a power socket of a travel destination. For this purpose, the travel adaptor plug requires a first standard socket and another standard power plug. The present application relates more particularly to a travel conversion plug that can be inserted into at least first and second standard electrical outlets. In addition, a power plug of a first standard and a power plug of a second standard can be selected and used in the travel conversion plug.

Background

Travel converter plugs or travel converters of this type are increasingly being used during global travel and increased commerce. Accordingly, there is a need for a compact, easily portable travel conversion plug that is adaptable to several different standard power outlets.

Chinese patent application CN 101872911 a discloses a travel converter with a substantially circular housing. The power plug is arranged in the shell and can be removed out of the shell. In this manner, at least three different types of power plugs may be used. The desired power plug may be selected upon rotation of the upper housing portion relative to the lower housing portion. The upper housing portion has an outwardly projecting drive slide. The drive slide may be caused to engage the respective power plug element. To do so, it is rotated to a position above the power plug, and when rotated to a position below the power plug, the power plug is removed from the housing.

The travel conversion plug has many uses. However, mechanically rotating the upper housing portion relative to the lower housing portion requires a precise housing production process to allow low resistance rotational movement and to ensure that the drive slide can reliably engage the power plug elements at various housing locations. Furthermore, the circular shape itself is also a limitation. In many cases, for example, a block-shaped travel switch plug may be considered easier to transport. Also, on a round travel conversion plug, all of the optional power plug components are not visible from an angle.

Another travel conversion plug is known as a "universal conversion plug" from german patent DE 102011014920B 4. In this travel conversion plug, multiple sets of prongs are provided in the outer housing. Each group of pins is connected with a control element, and each group of pins can be moved from the outside by the control elements. The control element is guided on the housing by a sliding groove. The control element is also guided using a baffle plate disposed within the outer housing. The barrier has a guide track and the control element can pass through a recess therein. The guide rail provides an upper end position and a lower end position. The flap is elastically prestressed so that the control element can be held firmly in the upper or lower end position. The control element and the corresponding pin set can be released from the end position and moved up or down, since in addition to activating the control element also a selection lever is activated, which is also arranged outside. Pressing the selector lever moves the shutter against the spring force. In this way, the pins can be moved out of their upper or lower end positions by using the control elements.

In this embodiment, the external control element serves both to move the pin sets out of the first end position (standby position) into the second end position (use position) and to lock the pin sets in these positions. One disadvantage with this is that the selector lever must also be in an operating state during the movement of the set of pins using the control element. This prevents comfortable one-handed operation. Furthermore, the control part cannot move freely in the sliding groove, since the elastically prestressed flap presses the control element continuously at all times during the movement. When the selection lever is operated, the two groups of pins can be moved to the use position or at least towards the use position by wrong operation.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved travel converter which avoids the deficiencies of the prior art. The travel converter should be cost-effective and reliable to manufacture, easy to transport and operate, and electrically very safe.

The travel conversion plug of the present invention has a housing that can have various shapes. For example, often blocks are practical for transportation. However, the travel conversion plug of the present invention operates in a manner that allows for a large degree of freedom in the choice of the shape of the housing. It is advantageous when the housing has at least one plane surface, but the way of functioning of the invention can also be adapted to curved housing surfaces. The housing may comprise one or more pieces. It has proven useful that the housing comprises two parts, in particular a lower housing part and an upper housing part. Which are connected to each other in a detachable manner, for example using mechanical means, it is useful to use screw connections.

The housing should have at least one receptacle. The socket is operatively disposed on the housing. The socket may have different shapes depending on the type of power plug (hereinafter simply "plug") to be inserted thereon. For example, if a Schuko plug is to be inserted into the socket, the socket has a substantially cylindrical recess and a female connector (female connector) for inserting the Schuko plug. For other types of plugs, it is not necessary to have a recess or groove. It is useful to have a flat upper housing face on which a plurality of female connectors (female contacts) can be provided. Typically, at least two female connectors should be provided, which form a pair of female connectors for receiving a standard plug. In order to be able to plug in a plurality of different standards, it is useful to provide a plurality of pairs of female connectors. It is also necessary if the plug also has a ground conductor and the socket is intended to provide an opportunity for grounding, typically a third female connector is provided, or a third connector is provided depending on the plug to be inserted.

The travel conversion plug should also have at least one plug of a first standard and a second plug of a second standard. (these plugs are also sometimes referred to as "plug-in pin sets"). The plug of the first standard may be, for example, an EU european plug, and the plug of the second standard may be an US american plug. These plugs may have two prongs, i.e., they are not grounded; alternatively, they may have three pins to provide a ground pin. Thus, the travel conversion plug of the present invention is suitable for use in more than one country.

Usefully, it is also generally necessary to make alternative use of the first plug and the second plug. The travel conversion plug may also include three or more plugs. Travel conversion plugs with three or four plugs have proven to be very useful. At least one of the plugs (but typically all of the plugs) is movable from a standby position (in which the plugs are substantially disposed within the housing) to a use position. In the position of use, the plug is disposed entirely or at least partially outside the housing. Frequently, the plug may be moved fully back into the housing when the plug is returned to the standby position. It is useful that the plug can be moved back into the housing far enough that it does not interfere with other plugs.

The first plug is connected with a driving slide block, and the driving slide block is used for moving the first plug from a standby position to a use position. The second plug is also connected with a driving slide block which is used for moving the second plug from the standby position to the using position. Thus, the travel conversion plug has at least a first drive slide and a second drive slide. The drive sliders can be effectively designed in a button-like manner so that they can be easily moved with one finger. In order to accommodate the drive slider, a slide groove may be provided on the housing. The runners can also be connected to each other to form a guide rail for the drive slide. Generally, it is useful to provide one runner for each drive slide and to arrange the runners parallel to each other.

A slide selector can be provided on the travel conversion plug that can be moved to at least a first position and a second position. In its first position, the sliding selector releases the first plug; alternatively, in its second position, the sliding selector releases the second plug, whereby the first plug or the second plug can be moved alternatively into the position of use.

In this manner, the sliding selector provides the travel conversion plug with the added advantage of practicality. It is not uncommon for travel conversion plugs to be brought to the same destination country multiple times. It is also common in a destination country to move a desired plug from a use position back to a standby position when it is not needed. It is therefore advantageous when the corresponding plug type can be adjusted on the sliding selector. Marking the sliding selector is very simple, making it clearly legible and adjustable in the destination country. Once the sliding selector is moved into position, only the corresponding plug can be moved into the use position. Usually, this means that only one drive slide can be moved.

Since the travel switch plugs are to be constructed in a compact manner, the drive sliders are usually located very close to one another. Therefore, it is easy to happen that, for example, fingers are not precisely placed on the drive sliders and the adjacent drive sliders are inadvertently moved at the same time. However, since the invention allows only one plug to be driven, and thus (usually) also only one drive slide, an inadvertently touched drive slide does not move (or it does not at least move the associated plug). This will make the operation of the travel conversion plug more fault tolerant.

However, providing a slide selector that can only release one plug and one drive slide also has important safety advantages. If more than one plug is removed at the same time, current will flow through those connections that are not used for this standard. This can damage the travel conversion plug and, in the worst case, the equipment connected thereto, and even cause injury to the user.

The plug can be moved into the use position using the drive slide. For safe use of travel conversion plugs, it is important that the plug remain in the use position even when inserted into an electrical outlet against pressure. In the system of the invention, a stop or locking element can be provided to ensure that the plugs remain in the use position and prevent them from doing so. The locking element can block at least one plug of the travel conversion plug; the locking element may also effectively block a plurality or all of the plugs in the use position.

Usefully, the locking element is designed as a separate component from the sliding selector. This embodiment as a separate component has production advantages. The sliding selector is a component that does not have to transmit or experience large forces. However, by its own nature, the locking element must exert sufficient force to hold each standard plug in the use position.

For similar reasons, it is useful when the locking element is also a separate component from the drive slider. In this case, the locking element is to be understood as a separate component when it has at least one component which is not part of the slide selector or drive slider. In general, it is useful when all the components of the locking element are designed to be independent of both the components of the slide selector and the components of the drive slider.

It is useful when the locking element, if provided, is connected to a release button which is arranged outside the housing and which is actuated in a release direction. Such a release button allows an intuitive and safe release of the locking element when moving a plug from the use position back to the standby position. Such designs are safer and more reliable than those that rely on some movement of the drive slide, or slide selector, or even the plug itself, to release the plug. So that the release button is not inadvertently actuated, it may also be provided with an alarm indicator or be designed with a warning color, for example red. The release button may be part of the housing, for example, when the part of the housing can be pressed down due to a suitable design. In general, it is useful to provide a recess in the housing and to provide the release button in this recess as a separate part from the housing. Usefully, the release button may be disposed opposite the slide selector and/or the drive slider.

It is useful to elastically prestress the locking element (typically: spring-biased) against the release direction. The elastic prestressing of the locking element makes it possible to reliably snap into the locked state as soon as the plug is brought into the use position. It is also advantageous mechanically when the spring acts exactly against the release direction.

An effective embodiment of the locking element is that the locking element has at least one locking leg, and that the locking leg has a sliding surface and a locking projection. On which sliding surface the element connected to a moved plug can slide. The element can then be snapped over the locking projection to lock the plug connected to the element.

Such travel conversion plugs are useful: at least one plug of the plug has a sliding projection or is mechanically firmly connected to such a sliding projection, and the sliding projection runs on the sliding surface and can assume a locked state on the locking projection.

Such travel conversion plugs are also useful: the locking mechanism has a plurality of locking legs, for example 2, 3 or 4 locking legs. The number of locking legs is exactly the same as the number of plugs. It is also useful and sufficient when the number of locking legs is less than the number of plugs.

In the latter case in particular, it is useful when a sliding projection is connected to each of the at least two plugs, both sliding projections running on the same locking leg of the locking element. Since the two sliding projections run on the same locking leg, this means that the two sliding projections run on the same sliding surface and on the same locking projection (on which the two sliding projections can assume the locked state). Since the two plugs on the travel conversion plug are not moved simultaneously into the use position, the sliding projection can alternatively assume this locked state on the locking projection. However, if two sliding projections, for example two sliding projections of adjacent plugs, share one locking leg of suitable dimensions, the number of locking legs can be reduced, whereby the travel conversion plug can be constructed more compactly.

In the context of the present invention, the sliding selector may be provided in any suitable form. Generally, it should mechanically allow only one plug movement and inhibit the other plug movement. Usefully, the slide selector is operable on the drive sliders, each drive slider being associated with a particular plug. But is also useful when the sliding selector acts on another element connected to the plug.

The slide selector may have a slide selector body that may be disposed inside the travel conversion plug housing. It is also useful to provide a recess in the housing which allows the sliding selector to be operated. For example, an actuation button (hereinafter also referred to as a "sliding selector button") may be used through the recess. The slide selector body can also be arranged outside the housing, for which purpose the drive slide is acted upon outside the housing, or for which purpose the drive slide is acted upon internally by means of a through-opening.

At least one or all of the plugs may be connected to an engagement element which cooperates with the sliding selector to prevent movement of the plug into the in-use position. Usefully, the engaging element can be designed as a projection or essentially as a projection. Movement of the engagement element may be prevented by a catch element of the slide selector, such as a catch strip, catch projection or the like. The tabs are effectively arranged in series such that the tabs form a comb-like snap strip. Depending on the position of the selection element, it is also possible not to prevent the movement of the coupling element, but to allow it to pass through. For this purpose, the latching element can advantageously have a plurality of recesses through which the engaging elements can pass. For example, a series of protrusions and recesses may be provided on the sliding selector.

This is useful when the travel conversion plug has a slide slot in the housing. The drive slide can run in these slide grooves. A sliding groove can also be arranged on the sliding selector. These runners enable the slide to move while being guided. It therefore represents an advantageous and cost-effective mechanical solution. Since a plurality of drive sliders is usually provided on the travel switch pin, this is particularly advantageous if a plurality of drive sliders can be guided in the guide channel in a simple manner. In the context of the present invention, the drive slide must only cause movement of the plug, typically upward and downward movement. The drive slide does not have to lock the plugs in the use position, nor does it have to ensure that only one plug can be selected at a time. Since the drive slide in the context of the invention is only allowed to perform one function, it can be guided easily and reliably in the slide groove. For example, if the drive slide is spring loaded, it becomes less useful to guide it in the chute, usually because the slide then tends to tilt, to "hook" and, of course, to run with more resistance.

As already explained, it is advantageous when the position of the selection element can no longer be changed as soon as the plug is moved into the position of use. To this end, a latching element may be provided. The latch element is operatively disposed on or associated with the slide selector. The latch element and the slide selector may be a unitary component or at least one integral component connected.

It is useful to have a latching element for a first functional element cooperating with the first plug and for a second functional element cooperating with the second plug. In order to make the manufacture of the latching element simple and cost-effective, it is useful when the first and second functional elements are constructed in the same way. The first and second functional elements may both be derived from the exact same component or similar component parts.

It is particularly useful when the latch element has a finger which can engage in a receiving element firmly connected to the housing. The functional elements may effectively be designed in the form of fingers. The latch elements may also have projections or bumps instead of fingers. The receiving element may be configured, for example, as a protrusion or recess on a latch guide. The receiving element can also be configured as a recess or hole in the housing or in a component connected to the housing.

It is useful when the latching element comprises a spring element. The latching element may even be formed entirely by a spring element, for example by a flat spring (or leaf spring). Such a spring may be used to elastically pre-stress the fingers of the latch element. The direction of the spring force is directed towards said receiving element on the housing. As long as all the plugs are in the standby position, the springs are prevented from protruding into the corresponding receiving elements.

It is advantageous when a finger of the latching element is pressed into a recess immediately towards the spring force as soon as the plug is moved into the position of use.

It is useful when the spring element of the latching element resiliently preloads its finger in the direction of the receiving element for receiving the finger and being connected to the housing. Then, as long as the plug is in the standby position, the fingers can be effectively prevented from engaging in the corresponding receiving elements using elements firmly connected to the plug. This is useful, for example, when the component of the drive slide undertakes this work. For example, the drive slide may be connected to the slide surface which slides over the fingers when the drive slide is moved to the use position, but which releases the fingers to allow the fingers assigned to the drive slide to fall into the recesses assigned to the fingers when the drive slide is in the use position.

Other features and advantages of the present invention can be obtained from the following drawings and their associated description. The features of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings and their associated description. However, these features may also be included in other combinations of the inventive subject matter. Thus, each feature disclosed is also to be understood as being disclosed in technically reasonable combinations with other features. The partial illustrations are somewhat simplified and schematic.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a travel conversion plug in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view from the same perspective of the travel conversion plug of the exemplary embodiment with the European style plug on the travel conversion plug moved to the use position;

fig. 3 shows this exemplary embodiment from another perspective, with the euro-style plug moved to the use position;

FIG. 4 shows this exemplary embodiment from below;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of selected cooperating components;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the components of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is another side view of the components of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 shows the cooperating components of a larger selection from the perspective of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of two other cooperating components;

FIG. 10 is another perspective view of the two cooperating components;

FIG. 11 is a view of selected cooperating components;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of two cooperating components;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of two other cooperating components;

fig. 14 is a side view of the component of fig. 13.

Description of reference numerals:

10-travel converter/travel converter plug;

12-an upper housing part; 14-lower housing part

16-a socket; 18-a female connector;

18A-UK English female connector pairs; 18B-AUS Australian female connector pair;

18C-US american female connector pairs; a female connector of an 18D-UK British ground pin;

20-operating buttons of sliding selectors; 22-a first drive slide;

24-a second drive slide; 26-a third drive slide;

28-fourth drive slide;

30-European style plug; 32-a plug body;

34-a contact pin; 36-contact pins;

36A-UK British contact pins; 36B-AUS Australian contact pin;

36C-US american feelers; 36D-UK British ground terminals;

38-a fuse insert; 40-a release button;

42-a chute; 44-sliding selector body/sliding selector

46-a recess to receive a release button; 48-bulge;

50-a guide arm; 52-bonding elements/bumps;

54-a groove; 56-a latching element;

58-fingers; 60-pressure bearing surface;

62-locking guide groove; 64-a groove;

66-a locking element; 68-a frame;

70-locking legs; 72-sliding projection;

74-sliding surface; 76-locking projection.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the travel conversion plug of the present invention, shown in a standby state but not yet in a use position. Instead, all plugs are in the standby position, i.e. all located within the housing.

The most basic components of the travel conversion plug 10 will first be described. The travel conversion plug has a housing made up of an upper housing portion 12 and a lower housing portion 14. The socket 16 is located on top of the travel conversion plug so that it is located in the region of the upper housing portion 12. The receptacle 16 has a plurality of female connectors 18. A slide selection button 20 is provided on the front surface of the travel conversion plug 10. Each drive slider can be selected and released by sliding the selection button 20. A first driving slider 22, a second driving slider 24, a third driving slider 26 and a fourth driving slider 28 are provided below the slide selection button 20.

Fig. 2 shows the travel conversion plug from the same perspective. However, in this travel conversion plug, one of the plugs is moved to the use position. Thus, the slide select button 20 is located at the left end of its slide path. In this position, the left actuating slide, i.e. the first actuating slide 22, is released and the actuating slide 22 is moved from the upper position into the lower position. Thereby, the european style plug 30 is downwardly projected. The European-style plug has a plug body 32, and a first contact pin 34A and a second contact pin 34B. In this manner, the travel conversion plug 10 may be inserted into a power outlet that conforms to european standards. The female connector pair on top of the travel conversion plug can then be used, allowing plugs that do not comply with european standards to be inserted. Specifically, the female connector pairs are UK english female connector pair 18A, AUS australian female connector pair 18B, das US american female connector pair 18C, and connector 18D for UK english ground pin.

Fig. 3 shows the same plug from another perspective. The plug is in the same position as in figure 2, i.e. the euro-style plug is moved to the in-use position. As can be seen from the bottom of the housing, further contact pins 36 (i.e. other standard contact pins) are provided. Also, a fuse insert (fuse insert)38 is provided on the bottom. The insert is closed by the visible cover and a coin, for example, can be used to rotate the slot in the cover to remove the cover and replace the fuse.

In addition, a release button 40 (not visible in the front view) is provided on the housing side. The release button is received in the housing recess. More specifically, notches are provided on both the upper housing portion 12 and the lower housing portion 14, and these together surround the release button 40. Pressing the release button returns the pushed-down plug (in this case, the euro-style plug 30) into the housing. However, when the release button is not actuated, the plug is not pressed back into the housing, so that this does not happen inadvertently when the plug is plugged into an electrical outlet.

Fig. 4 shows the bottom of the same travel conversion plug, from which other details can be seen more precisely, and will therefore be described in more detail in connection with this figure. The bottom view shows that the drive sliders 22-28 and the sliding selection button 20 do not protrude far beyond the lateral housing surface. The engineering design of the present invention allows for a compact and easy to use arrangement in which the drive sliders are very close to each other. The slide selection buttons 20 are slightly higher than the drive slide and therefore protrude slightly further than them.

The contact pins 34 of the euro plug are guided on the plug body 32 and the contact pins of other standard plugs are guided out of the bottom of the housing without providing an additional plug body. Every two contact pins (namely a pair of contact pins) are used for being plugged into power sockets of different national standards. The contact foot pair 36A is used in the UK, hereinafter also referred to as UK english contact foot; contact pin pair 36B is used in australia, hereinafter also referred to as AUS australian contact pin pair; the antenna pair 36C is used in the united states and is also referred to as a US american antenna pair hereinafter. A ground terminal 36D is also provided which is used in the UK and is therefore also known as UK english ground terminal, with which grounding can be achieved. However, in general, such a contact may also be provided when no ground terminal is available. In that case, this connector is the first pin (opening pin) for insertion into the UK english power socket, which makes it possible to insert two further connectors.

It can be seen that the release button 40 is located just opposite the drive slide and the slide selection button. In the context of the present invention, it is quite useful to arrange the slide selection button and the complete drive slider on one housing side. It is also generally useful to have the release button 40 disposed opposite thereto for safe and intuitive operation.

Fig. 5 illustrates selected cooperating components of the travel conversion plug in an exemplary embodiment in perspective view, showing the lower housing portion 14. A plug body 32 belonging to the euro-style plug is placed below the housing. The first drive slide 22 is shown in a lower position corresponding to the position of the plug body 32. On its front face, the housing has a slide groove 42. It can be seen that there are four adjacently disposed slide slots 42, each of which can receive a drive slide. However, for ease of understanding, only the first drive ram 22 is depicted. The sliding selector body 44 is seen to be located above the chute with the recess 46 for receiving the release button opposite the sliding selector body 44.

Furthermore, the sliding selector body is shown in its position when used in a full travel conversion plug, but no means are shown to hold it in this position. This simplified depiction is also for ease of understanding. It is useful to locate the slide selector body 44 above the drive slide, i.e. opposite the bottom of the housing from which the contact pins can be guided and moved to the use position.

Fig. 6 shows the components depicted in fig. 5 substantially from a side view, again depicting the lower housing portion 14 and the sliding selector body 44. The sliding selector body 44 is again shown in its position held by other components (not shown). Also shown is a second drive ram 24 adjacent the first drive ram 22. The first drive slide 22 is shown in the lower position, i.e. the position corresponding to the use position of the plug, and the second drive slide 24 is shown in the upper position, i.e. the position corresponding to the standby position.

In this view, it can be seen that the back of the sliding selector body 44 (which faces the interior of the travel conversion plug) has a detent 48. It can also be seen that the first drive slide is connected to a guide arm 50. The guide arm 50 may additionally be supported by components not shown, while ensuring that the position and movement of the drive slide 22 is not limited solely by the slide groove 42. However, it is generally sufficient to guide the drive slide only in the slide groove. The upper end of the guide arm 50 has a coupling projection 52.

So that the engagement projection 52 can be engaged with the snap projection 48 so that the downward movement of the second drive slider 24 is suppressed.

In another side view, fig. 7 shows the cooperation of the known components of fig. 5 and 6. In fig. 7, the lower housing portion 14 and sliding selector body 44 are again visible in their proper position in the complete travel conversion plug. The back of the slide selector body 44 engages the guide arm 50 of the second drive slide. On its back side, the sliding selector body has a plurality of tabs, 48A, 48B, 48C, 48D and 48E. Between each snap projection is a channel in the form of a groove ( grooves 54A, 54B, 54C and 54D). Although in the position shown in the figures, the detent 48C engages the engagement projection of the guide arm 50, when the slide selector body is in another position, the engagement projection of the guide arm 50 no longer engages the detent. Conversely, removal of the sliding selector body 44 causes the detent 48 of the guide arm to be positioned over a recess. From this position, the guide arm, and thus the entire drive slide, can be moved downwards towards the use position.

FIG. 8 is a side view similar to FIG. 6, but in this figure, an additional component is depicted. Depicted again is the lower housing portion 14, the second drive slide 24 and the slide selector body 44. As already explained above, the drive slide 24 (as well as the other drive slides) has a guide arm 50. At its end, the guide arm 50 has an engagement projection 52 which can be brought into engagement with the catch 48.

In addition to the components already shown in fig. 6 and 7, a latching element 56 is also depicted in this view. The latch element 56 has substantially the shape of a leaf spring which fits inside the sliding selector body 44 (the side facing the guide arm). At its upper end, the latch element 56 has a finger 58 that projects out of the top of the slide select body 44. The latch member also has a pressure face 60 that also includes a height (elevation).

The latch element 56 operates as follows. When the drive slide 24 is in the upper position shown, the engagement lugs 52 apply pressure against the pressure faces 60. When the slide selector body 44 is in place, moving the drive slide downward, the engagement projection 52 (or, if desired, another member of the guide arm 50) no longer presses against the bearing surface 60. The finger 58 is elastically prestressed so as to move toward the center of the travel conversion plug (i.e., to the left in fig. 8) due to the spring force.

Once no more pressure is exerted on pressure face 60, the spring force is effective and finger 58 moves to the latched position. In this latched position, the fingers may engage an element fixedly connected in position with the housing, which element may be generally described as a finger receiving element. This causes the sliding selector body 44 to also be held in a fixed position relative to the housing.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the sliding selector body 44 and the latch element 56 (or, more precisely, the finger 58 thereof). The latching element 56 may be manufactured, for example, from a bent leaf spring. The upper end of the sliding selector body 44 has a recess. The fingers 58 of the latch element 56 may be inserted through the four notches shown. Firstly, this ensures that the latching element 56 and the sliding selector body 44 are also well connected to one another in the upper region; secondly, these notches make it possible for the four fingers 58A,58B,58C and 58D of the latching element 56 to move back and forth between a latching position and a selection position (or standby position).

Fig. 10 is another perspective view of the slide selector body 44 and latch element 56, from which again the fingers 58 and their manner of operation can be readily seen. The latch element 56 should be mechanically securely connected to the sliding selector body 44. To this end, the sliding selector body 44 may have a recess that facilitates an insertion or snap-fit connection between the sliding selector body 44 and the latch element 56. This portion of the content is visible from the lower portion of the sliding selector body 44.

Fig. 11 depicts in bottom view the cooperative relationship between the latch element 56 and the upper housing portion 12. The view is from the lower housing portion 14 toward the bottom of the upper housing portion 12 so that the female connector 18 can be seen. The latch element 56 abuts the front housing wall; in the functional travel switch plug, it is also held by the sliding selector body 44, however, for visual simplification, the sliding selector body 44 is not depicted here.

The fingers 58A,58B,58C and 58D of the latch element 56 abut the housing upper side. All fingers are shown in the standby position. As soon as the drive slide associated with the finger and the corresponding plug are moved into the use position, the finger is moved into the latching position. To lock the finger in the latched position, a locking guide slot 62 is provided in the underside of the housing. The locking guide groove has a groove. In the embodiment shown here, the grooves are separated from adjacent grooves by bars. The lock guide groove 62 has four grooves in total: groove 64A, groove 64B, groove 64C, and groove 64D.

Other different forms of locking guide slots may also be useful; generally, the locking guide slots should have finger receiving elements that are securely positioned relative to the housing. As soon as the finger 58 enters its associated recess 64, the latch element 56 assumes a securely positioned state relative to the housing. Whereby the latch element is no longer movable with the sliding selector body 44; this up and down movement in the direction of the view is blocked.

Figure 12 is a perspective view of two other cooperating components of the travel conversion plug. Both components are also shown in their "natural" position, i.e. the position in which they are present in the complete travel conversion plug. Depicted are lower housing portion 14 and locking member 66. In a known manner, the lower housing part has four runners 42 parallel to each other. The locking element 66 has a known release button 40. The locking element 66 also has a frame 68. The frame 68 carries a retaining clip (not described in detail) which allows the locking element 66 to be connected to the other components of the travel conversion plug. The locking element 66 also has three locking legs: a first locking leg 70A, a second locking leg 70B, and a third locking leg 70C.

Figure 13 illustrates how the locking leg operates. In this figure, the locking element 66 is not shown with the lower housing part 14, but with the plug body 32 for a euro plug. The locking element 66 also cooperates with other plug bodies and contact pins, but the function of the locking legs is described here only by way of example for a euro-type plug and a corresponding plug body 32. The plug body is firmly connected to the first drive slide 22, the first drive slide 22 having a guide arm 50. The plug body 32 also engages the sliding projection 72. The slide projection is able to slide along the first locking leg 70A and assume a locked state at the lower end of the first locking leg 70A.

Figure 14 shows the components of figure 13 but this time in side view, from which the exact operation can be better seen. In this view, it can be seen that the first locking leg 70A (as well as the other locking legs) has a sliding surface 74 and a locking projection 76. The sliding projection 72 of the plug body 32 can slide on the sliding surface 74. To initiate the sliding movement, the locking element 66 is laterally movable, i.e. movable in a release direction (right to left in the figure) defined by the orientation of the release button 40. The locking element 66 is elastically prestressed so that the sliding projection 72 presses against the sliding surface 74. When the plug body 32 reaches its use position, the slide projection 72 reaches the lock projection 76. Since the locking element 66 is elastically prestressed (so that, in the figure, it is therefore pressed to the right), the sliding projection 72 can be moved under the locking projection 76 and is thus blocked. This blocking is very mechanically advantageous, since the locking leg 70A is loaded in its main extension direction, whereby the locking leg 70A essentially only has to absorb compressive forces. However, by pressing the release button 40, this stop can be released positively and the plug body can be moved back along the sliding surface 74 into its standby position.

In the manner described in general terms and more particularly in the drawings, it is possible to produce a travel converter which is very comfortable to operate and in which operating errors hardly occur. It is interesting, however, that the travel converter is inexpensive to produce and can be produced inexpensively and reliably even in cases where large tolerances must be allowed in mass production.

Claims (13)

1. Travel conversion plug (10) having a housing, a socket (16) and at least a first plug (34) of a first standard and a second plug (36) of a second standard, wherein the first plug (34) and the second plug (36) are alternatively movable from a standby position, in which the plugs are substantially arranged in the housing, to a use position, wherein the first plug (34) is connected to a first drive slide (22) for moving it from the standby position to the use position, and the second plug is connected to a second drive slide (24) for moving it from the standby position to the use position, characterized in that: -a sliding selector (44) is provided, which in its first position releases the first plug (34) or which in its second position releases the second plug (36) so that the first or second plug is moved into the position of use; the conversion plug is further provided with a locking element (66) which blocks at least the first plug (34) or the second plug (36) in the position of use, wherein the locking element (66) has at least one locking leg (70), each of the at least two plugs has a sliding projection (72), and both sliding projections run on the same locking leg (70) of the locking element (66).

2. The travel conversion plug (10) of claim 1, wherein the locking element is designed to be a separate component from the sliding selector (44).

3. The travel conversion plug (10) of claim 2, wherein the locking element (66) is coupled to a release button (40) disposed outside the housing.

4. Travel conversion plug (10) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the locking element (66) has at least one locking leg (70), wherein the locking leg (70) has a sliding surface (74) and a locking projection (76).

5. Travel conversion plug (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that at least one plug has a sliding projection (72), the sliding projection (72) running on the sliding surface (74) and being able to assume a locked state on the locking projection (76).

6. The travel conversion plug (10) of claim 1, characterized by at least one plug connection engagement element (52), said engagement element (52) cooperating with said sliding selector (44) to prevent said plug from moving to a use position.

7. The travel conversion plug (10) of claim 6, wherein the slide selector (44) has at least one detent (48) that prevents movement of the engagement member (52) when the slide selector (44) is in certain positions; and the sliding selector has at least one recess (54) through which the at least one engagement element (52) can pass.

8. The travel conversion plug (10) of claim 1, wherein the housing has a chute (42) for receiving the drive slide (22,24,26, 28).

9. The travel conversion plug (10) of claim 1, characterized in that the conversion plug is further provided with a latch element (56), the latch element (56) preventing the slide selector (44) from moving between the first and second positions after the first plug (34) or second plug (36) is moved to the use position.

10. The travel conversion plug (10) of claim 9, characterized in that the latching element (56) has a first functional element for cooperation with the first plug (34) and a second functional element for cooperation with the second plug (36).

11. Travel conversion plug (10) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the latching element (56) has a finger (58), which finger (58) can engage in a receiving element (64) which is firmly connected to the housing.

12. The travel conversion plug (10) of any one of claims 9-10, wherein the latch element (56) comprises a spring element.

13. The travel conversion plug (10) of claim 11, characterized in that the fingers (58) of the latch element (56) are elastically prestressed in the direction of an elastically prestressed receiving element (64) connected to the housing.

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