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(11) | EP 2 822 110 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
| published in accordance with Art. 153(4) EPC |
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| (54) | POWER ADAPTER |
| (57) The invention relates to a power adapter. Plug input section of it comprises a plug
bottom shell and a plug face shell, thus to form a cylindrical accommodating space.
Inside of the accommodating space is arranged with a first conductive electrode slice
group, a main positioning switch and at least two groups of standard plugs from different
countries or regions. There are at least two guides formed along axial direction in
the plug face shell. Guide quantity matches with that of plug group. The main positioning
switch is located between each plug, and can move back and forth along radial direction
under external force action. The main positioning switch is arranged with a reset
spring, and one end of the reset spring touches inner wall of the plug face shell.
There are at least two locating detents formed along the axial direction of the main
positioning switch. Each plug is configured with a toggle button. A located block
which is sure to touch the main positioning switch is formed on the plug body. So
long as one group of plug thereof is at stretching out working state, any one group
of other plugs inside can be selected for switchover, which is easy to operate. |
Field of the Invention
[0001] The invention relates to a power adapter, especially a power adapter which can adapt to standard outlet interface from different countries.
Background of the Invention
[0002] With the growth of people's living standard and development of science, more and more portable electronic products and electric appliances are emerging constantly, such as mobile phone, laptop and tablet PC, etc. With these products, people have more conveniences and pleasure. Nevertheless, there is a problem in using these products in different countries and regions: as shape and structure of power jack (wall outlet) from country to country are different, the original charger may be incompatible to the jack hole of the place of arrival, thus failing to charge for the products. Currently, there are mainly four standard specifications as to outlet structure universal in the world: in Britain, Hong Kong and Singapore, etc., BS outlets are used, which are of three-rectangular-hole structure; in US and Canada, etc., UL outlets are used, which are of two-flat-hole structure; in Germany and other European countries, VDE outlets are used, which are of two-round-hole structure; and in Australia and New Zealand of Oceania, SAA outlets are used, structure of which is two flat holes tilted to each other.
[0003] In view of the above conditions, there are varieties of power adapters of multi-purpose specifications, so that people can use portable electronic products in different countries and regions. Among power adapters specific to the existing technology, there is a power adapter with plug-in parts, namely plug of which is replaceable. When such power adapter is used, plug is required to be removed and reinstalled, which is relatively troublesome, and it is inconvenient to carry with separated plug as well. Moreover, due to long-term disassembly and installation, it is easy to result in abrasion.
Summary
[0004] The invention is intended to solve the technical issues by means of avoiding the deficiencies of the above existing technology, and put forward a power adapter which can adapt to different standard specifications. Adapter outlets of different specifications can be switched freely. So, the adapter is easy to use and carry with, with long service life.
[0005] The following technical proposals can be adopted for the purpose of addressing the said technical issues of the invention:
A power adapter, which comprises a plug input section and an outlet output section. The said plug input section comprises a plug bottom shell and a plug face shell, which form a cylindrical accommodating space. Inside of the said cylindrical accommodating space is arranged with a first conductive electrode slice group, a general positioning switch and at least two groups of standard plugs from different countries or regions. There are at least two guides formed along axial direction in the said plug face shell. Guide quantity matches with plug group quantity. Each group of plug is configured with a spring, which is respectively encased on each guide. Each group of plug can move in axial direction in the said cylindrical accommodating space along respective guide The said general positioning switch is located between each plug, and can move back and forth along radial direction under external force action. The general positioning switch is arranged with a reset spring, and one end of the reset spring touches inner wall of the plug face shell. There are at least two locating detents formed along the axial direction of the general positioning switch. Quantity of locating detent matches with that of the plug group. There is a locating notch formed at the lower end of each locating detent. Each of the said plug is configured with a toggle button. A guide slot for sliding of the toggle button is formed respectively on the plug bottom shell and plug face shell. Inner connecting rod of each toggle button passes through corresponding guide slot and is connected to the corresponding plug body. Body of each of the said plug is sure to touch the said general positioning switch. The said first conductive electrode slice group is located at the inner lower end of the outlet bottom shell, and electrically connected to the output interface of the outlet output section. Located blocks matching with the lower end locating slot of each pair of locating detents are formed on the body of each said plug. Lower end face of the said plug bottom shell is formed with an opening for stretching or retraction of each plug. When one group of plug is pushed to stretch out of the cylindrical accommodating space, the corresponding spring will be at a state of compression, located blocks on the body of the plug are withstood by the corresponding locating detents on the general positioning switch, and inner ends of the plug pins just touch the first conductive electrode slice group, forming electric connection.
[0006] In the invention, there are four groups of the said plug, respectively BS plug, UL plug, VDE plug and SAA plug, accordingly, four guides and springs, four locating detents formed on the general positioning switch, four toggle buttons and four guides.
[0007] In the invention, output section of the said outlet and plug face shell of the plug input section are all-in-one, including two forms: 1. output interface of the output section of the said outlet is the combination of jack holes of four specifications, namely BS, UL, VDE and SAA. Interior of the output section of the outlet is accordingly arranged with a second conductive electrode slice group, which is electrically connected to the first conductive electrode slice group; 2. output interface of the output section of the said outlet is USB interface, which is electrically connected to the first conductive electrode slice group via voltage transforming circuit inside of the outlet output section.
[0008] In the invention, the said outlet output section and plug input section are detachable. Outlet output section comprises outlet bottom shell and outlet face shell. A concave pit is formed on the upper end of the plug face shell, and outlet bottom shell is jammed in the said concave pit. It also includes two forms: 1. output interface of the output section of the said outlet is the combination of the jack holes of four specifications, namely BS, UL, VDE and SAA. Combination of jack holes of the four specifications is formed on the outlet face shell. Interior of the outlet bottom shell is accordingly arranged with a second conductive electrode slice group, which is electrically connected with the first conductive electrode slice group; 2. output interface of the output section of the said outlet is USB interface, which is formed on the outlet face shell; and the said USB interface is electrically connected to the first conductive electrode slice group via voltage transforming circuit inside of the outlet bottom shell.
[0009] Compared with the existing technology, beneficial effects of the power adapter of the invention are: plugs of different standard specifications are integrated as one, which is easy to carry. During use, eject appropriate plug as needed. Ejection, retraction as well as switchover of plugs during use are quite convenient.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0010]
Figure 1 shows a 3D structure diagram of Embodiment 1 of the power adapter specific to the invention;
Figure 2 shows a 3D decomposition diagram of Embodiment 1 of the said power adapter;
Figure 3 shows sectional structure diagram 1 of Embodiment 1 of the said power adapter, showing that all the four groups of plugs are in the accommodating space, namely at unused state;
Figure 4 shows sectional structure diagram 2 of Embodiment 1 of the said power adapter, showing use state of the VDE plug when stretching out;
Figure 5 shows sectional structure diagram 3 of Embodiment 1 of the said power adapter, showing that VDE plug is stretching out while BS plug is at initial state;
Figure 6 shows sectional structure diagram 4 of Embodiment 1 of the said power adapter, showing state during switchover between VDE plug upon retraction and BS plug upon stretching;
Figure 7 shows sectional structure diagram 5 of Embodiment 1 of the said power adapter, showing use state of BS plug when totally stretching out;
Figure 8 shows sectional structure diagram 6 of Embodiment 1 of the said power adapter, showing that BS plug is stretching out while VDE plug is at initial state;
Figure 9 shows sectional structure diagram 7 of Embodiment 1 of the said power adapter, showing state during switchover between BS plug upon retraction and UL plug upon stretching;
Figure 10 shows sectional structure diagram 8 of Embodiment 1 of the said power adapter, showing use state of UL plug when totally stretching out;
Figure 11 shows sectional structure diagram 9 of Embodiment 1 of the said power adapter, showing that UL plug is stretching out while SAA plug is at initial state;
Figure 12 shows sectional structure diagram 10 of Embodiment 1 of the said power adapter, showing state of completion of switchover between UL plug upon retraction and SAA plug upon total stretching;
Figure 13 shows a 3D structure diagram of Embodiment 2 of the power adapter specific to the invention;
Figure 14 shows a 3D structure diagram of Embodiment 3 of the power adapter specific to the invention;
Figure 15 shows a 3D structure diagram of Embodiment 4 of the power adapter specific to the invention.
Detailed Description of the Various Embodiments
[0011] Further expatiation will be made below by combining the preferred embodiments shown by the attached drawings.
Embodiment 1:
[0012] As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2, Embodiment 1 of the power adapter for the invention comprises a plug input section and a plug output section. The said plug input section comprises a plug bottom shell 10 and a plug face shell 20, which form a cylindrical accommodating space. The said accommodating space is further arranged with a first conductive electrode slice group 30, a general positioning switch 50 and at least two groups of plugs from different countries and regions. Inside of the said plug face shell 20, at least two guides 60 are formed along the axial direction. Quantity of guide 60 matches with that the plug group. Each group of plug is arranged with a spring 61, which is respectively encased on each guide 60. Each group of plug can move axially in the said cylindrical accommodating space along respective guide 60. The said general positioning switch 50 is located between each plug, and can move back and forth along radial direction under external force action. The general positioning switch 50 is arranged with a reset spring 51, one end of the reset spring 51 touches inner wall of the plug face shell 20. At least two locating detents 52 are formed along axial direction of the general positioning switch 50. Quantity of the locating detent 52 matches with plug quantity. A locating notch is formed at the lower end of each locating detent. Each plug mentioned is configured with a toggle button 70. Guide slot 11 for sliding of the toggle button 70 is arranged respectively for plug bottom shell 10 and plug face shell 20. Inner connecting rod of each toggle button 70 passes through corresponding guide slot 11 and is connected to the corresponding plug body. Body of each of the said plug is sure to touch the said general positioning switch 50. The said first conductive electrode slice group 30 is located at the inner lower end of the outlet adapter 10, and electrically connected to the output interface of the outlet output section. Located blocks matching with the lower locating notch of each pair of locating detents 52 are formed on the body of each said plug. Lower end face of the said plug bottom shell 10 is arranged with an opening 12 for stretching or retraction of each plug. When one group of plug is pushed to stretch out of the cylindrical accommodating space, the corresponding spring 61 will be at a state of compression, located blocks on the body of the plug are withstood by the corresponding locating detents 52 on the general positioning switch 50, and inner ends of the plug pins just touch the first conductive electrode slice group 30, forming electric connection.
[0013] In Embodiment 1, there are four groups of the said plug, respectively BS plug 80, UL plug 81, VDE plug 82 and SAA plug 83, accordingly, four guides 60 and springs 61, four locating detents 52 formed on the general positioning switch 50, four toggle buttons 70 and four guides 11. As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2, in the Embodiment 1, output section of the said outlet and input section of the said plug are detachable. Output section of the outlet comprises outlet bottom shell 90 and outlet face shell 92. A concave pit 21 is formed on the upper end of the plug face shell 20. Outlet bottom shell 90 is jammed in the said concave pit 21. Output interface of the output section of the said outlet is the combination of jack holes of four specifications, namely BS, UL, VDE and SAA. Combination of jack holes of the four specifications is formed on the outlet face shell 92, and interior of the outlet bottom shell is accordingly arranged with a second conductive electrode slice group 93, which is electrically connected to the first conductive electrode slice group 30.
[0014] Of course, in the invention, plug combination can also be any two or three combinations among the four combinations BS plug 80, UL plug 81, VDE plug 82 and SAA plug 83. Accordingly, design shall be adjusted for guide 60, spring 51, locating detents 52 of the general positioning switch 50, toggle buttons 70 and guide slots 11, so as to be adaptable. Output interface of the output section of the outlet can be designed separately or in a combined manner as required.
[0015] Now, principle and process of mutual switchover between each group of plug of Embodiment 1 of the power adapter specific to the invention will be illustrated briefly combining Figure 3 to Figure 12.
[0016] For the convenience of description and understanding, definitions are illustrated below: located block of BS plug 80 is the first located block 801, and the corresponding locating notch is the first locating notch 521; located block of UL plug 81 is the second located block 811, and the corresponding locating notch is the second locating notch 522; located block of VDE plug 82 is the third located block 821, and the corresponding locating notch is the third locating notch 523; located block of SAA plug 83 is the fourth located block 831, and the corresponding locating notch is the fourth locating notch 524.
[0017] At the initial state, As shown in Figure 3, the four groups of outlets shown are in the accommodating space, namely at unused initial state. In the figure, initial state of VDE plug 82 is relatively expressed as an emphasis. When you are intended to use VDE plug 82, see Figure 4, push downward its corresponding toggle button 70, VDE plug 82 will move downward, meanwhile, general positioning switch 50 will move slightly towards left of the figure, till the third located block 821 is withstood by the third locating notch 523. At this moment, under the action of the reset spring 51, general positioning switch 50 will move back towards right of the figure to reset, and VDE plug 82 will be stretched out and locked.
[0018] Figure 5 to Figure 7 show the process of switchover between VDE plug 82 and BS plug 80. Figure 5 shows that VDE plug is stretched out while BS plug is at initial state. When you are intended to switch to BS plug 80, see Figure 6, push downward toggle button 70 corresponding to BS plug 80, BS plug 80 will move downward, meanwhile, general positioning switch 50 will move slightly towards left of the figure, enabling the third located block 821 to be separated from the third locating notch 523, VDE plug 82 will move upward and retract under the action of spring 61. Continue to push downward the toggle button, till the first located block 81 is withstood by the first located notch 521. At this moment, under the action of the reset spring 51, the general positioning switch 50 moves back towards right of the figure to reset, BS plug 80 is stretched out totally and locked, while VDE plug 82 retracts totally As shown in Figure 7.
[0019] Figure 8 to Figure 10 show the process of switchover between BS plug 80 and UL plug 81. Figure 8 shows that BS plug 80 is stretched out while UL plug 81 is at initial state. When you are intended to switch to UL plug 81, see Figure 9, push downward toggle button 70 corresponding to UL plug 81, UL plug 81 will move downward, meanwhile, general positioning switch 50 will move slightly towards left of the figure, enabling the first located block 801 to be separated from the first locating notch 521, BS plug 80 will move upward and retract under the action of spring 61. Continue to push downward the toggle button, till the second located block 811 is withstood by the second located notch 522. At this moment, under the action of the reset spring 51, the general positioning switch 50 moves back towards right of the figure to reset, UL plug 81 is stretched out totally and locked, while BS plug 80 retracts totally As shown in Figure 10.
[0020] Figure 11 to Figure 12 show the process of switchover between UL plug 81 and SAA plug 83. Figure 11 shows that UL plug 81 is stretched out while SAA plug 83 is at initial state. See Figure 12, when you are intended to switch to SAA plug 83, push downward toggle button 70 corresponding to SAA plug 83, SAA plug 83 will move downward, meanwhile, general positioning switch 50 will move slightly towards right of the figure, enabling the second located block 811 to be separated from the second locating notch 522, UL plug 81 will move upward and retract under the action of spring 61. Continue to push downward the toggle button, till the fourth located block 831 is withstood by the fourth located notch 524. At this moment, under the action of the reset spring 51, the general positioning switch 50 moves back towards left of the figure to reset, SAA plug 831 is stretched out totally and locked, while UL plug 81 retracts totally.
[0021] Actually, in the invention, switchover of each group of plug is not limited to the switchover between the above VDE plug 82 and BS plug 80, BS plug 80 and UL plug 81, UL plug 81 and SAA plug 83. So long as one group of plug thereof is at stretching out state, any one of the other three groups of interior plugs can be selected for switchover. To save the space, we will no longer say more hereby.
[0022] When it is required to retract all plugs, select toggle button of any one group of interior plug. Push the toggle button slightly for a length of stroke, so as to enable the plug stretched out to retract automatically, then stop pushing.
Embodiment 2:
[0023] As shown in Figure 13, structure and principle of Embodiment 2 of the power adapter specific to the invention are basically identical to that of Embodiment 1, what is different is that: the said outlet output section and plug face shell 20 of plug input section are all-in-one, namely, plug face shell 20 is served as outlet shell simultaneously. To save the space, we will no longer say more hereby.
Embodiment 3:
[0024] As shown in Figure 14, structure and principle of Embodiment 3 of the power adapter specific to the invention are basically identical to that of Embodiment 2, what is different is that: output interface of the output section of the said outlet is USB interface 100, electrically connected to the first conductive electrode slice group 30 via the voltage transforming circuit inside of the outlet output section. What is required to be illustrated is that as to jack hole, voltage transforming circuit and interface converter are required to be increased to USB interface 100, which are not shown in the figure. Thus, the invention can be served as charger and can output low voltage DC directly, connected to the USB cable directly. These are all mature existing technologies, which are not required to be stated any longer hereby.
Embodiment 4:
[0025] As shown in Figure 15, structure and principle of Embodiment 4 of the power adapter specific to the invention are basically identical to that of Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 3, what is different from Embodiment 1 is that: output interface of the output section of the said outlet is USB interface, formed on the outlet face shell 20; the said USB interface is electrically connected to the first conductive electrode slice group via the voltage transforming circuit inside of the outlet output section. What is different from Embodiment 3 is that: the said outlet output section and plug input section are detachable, USB interface is formed on the outlet face shell 20. Others will not be stated any longer hereby.
[0026] The above contents are the further detailed explanations of the invention combining specific preferred technical proposals, and it can not be deemed that the invention is only restricted to these explanations. For common technicians of the technical field to which the invention belongs, under the condition of not deviating from the design thinking of the invention, a number of simple deductions or replacements can be made as well, which shall be protected by the invention.