Fold-Flat Car Charger Interface for Compact Power Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing car charger interfaces compromise the compactness and power capacity of portable devices due to their design, as they require storage space and can be damaged when exposed, necessitating a solution that allows for a compact, flexible, and accessible charging interface that can be stored within the device housing without affecting the device's size or functionality.
Innovation Solution
A compact car charger interface that can be folded flat for storage and extended for use, featuring a base portion and a movable portion that pivots or slides, allowing it to be flush with the device housing when not in use and forming a standard adapter shape for connection with a car charger socket, thereby maximizing battery size and minimizing the device's footprint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a conventional car charger interface design is used, then the interface can be stored within the device housing, but it increases the storage cavity size requirement and reduces battery space
Solution Approach 1:
The car charger interface is designed with a movable portion that can pivot between a retracted position (flush with housing) and an extended position (protruding for socket connection). This dynamic configuration allows the interface to minimize storage volume when retracted, maximizing battery space, while providing full functionality when extended for charging.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface is divided into a base portion (fixed to housing) and a movable portion (pivoting element). This segmentation allows the movable portion to be stored compactly within the housing footprint when not in use, reducing the storage cavity requirement and preserving battery volume, while still providing the complete interface functionality when extended.
2Ease of operation
If the car charger interface is exposed when stored, then it is easily accessible, but it can get snagged and damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The movable portion pivots to an extended position that protrudes from the housing when charging is needed, making the interface easily accessible for socket connection. When not in use, it retracts to a flush position with the housing, protecting the electrical contacts from damage and preventing snagging, thus maintaining both accessibility and reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the interface is extended for use, then it can connect with car charger socket, but it increases the device's three-dimensional footprint
Solution Approach 1:
The interface employs a pivoting mechanism that allows the movable portion to extend only when needed for charging functionality. When retracted, the interface maintains a compact footprint that is flush with the housing, minimizing the device's three-dimensional volume. When extended, it provides the necessary adaptability to connect with car charger sockets, thus resolving the contradiction between functionality and compactness.
Data Source
AI summary
A car charger interface, adapted for connection with a car charger socket, is connected to an electronic device or portable charger unit and movable between an extended condition for use and a retracted condition for storage. The interface has a generally flat shape when not in use and can be unfolded to a shape adapted for complementary connection with the car charger socket for use. The interface comprises a first portion and a second portion movable relative to one another between folded and unfolded conditions. The second portion may comprise wings pivotally connected along the first portion for pivoting to an unfolded position projecting from the first portion to form a generally X-shaped adapter body. Alternately, the second portion may be positioned at the longitudinal end of the first portion and connected thereto via a pivot point at the central longitudinal axis thereof for pivotal movement.