Foldable Power Plug Assembly with Lever Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Information handling systems face challenges with large and awkwardly shaped three-pin power plugs that are difficult to store and transport, and can cause damage to other components due to exposed pins.
Innovation Solution
A foldable power plug assembly with a lever-based mechanism that allows the pins to be fully retracted into a compact base portion, preventing them from extending beyond the surface, and can be easily deployed by converting rotational movement into linear forces to extend the pins perpendicularly for use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional fixed three-pin power plugs are used, then the pins are always exposed and ready for use, but the power plug becomes difficult to store and transport, and exposed pins can scratch other components
Solution Approach 1:
The power plug assembly transitions from a static fixed structure to a dynamic foldable structure. The pins can be deployed perpendicular to the base housing when needed for use, and folded parallel to the base housing when stored, allowing the assembly to adapt its configuration based on operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The pins are designed to move between two dimensional states: extending perpendicular to the base housing top surface for use, and folding parallel to the top surface for compact storage. This dimensional transformation reduces the volume requirement from an extended three-dimensional configuration to a compact planar configuration.
2Ease of operation
If traditional fixed three-pin power plugs are used, then the pins are always exposed and ready for use, but the exposed pins can scratch other components such as metal housing or display screens
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful exposed pins are extracted from their permanently extended state and isolated within the base housing when not in use. The pins are only exposed when deliberately deployed for connection, preventing accidental contact with other components during storage and transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The power plug assembly transitions from a static fixed structure to a dynamic foldable structure. The pins can be deployed perpendicular to the base housing when needed for use, and folded parallel to the base housing when stored, allowing the assembly to adapt its configuration based on operational requirements.
3Volume of moving object
If the pins are made foldable to improve storage, then the structure becomes more complex with levers and slots, but this complexity is necessary to achieve the folding function
Solution Approach 1:
The power plug assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: base housing portion, individual pins, posts, levers, and slots. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while contributing to the overall foldable mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
Levers act as intermediary elements between the pins and the base housing. The levers with their slots provide a mechanical interface that enables the pins to fold and unfold through rotational movement, mediating the transformation between extended and retracted states.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The foldable power plug assembly provides a compact and safe solution for transportation, preventing damage to other components and allowing easy deployment of the pins for use, enhancing convenience and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a lever-based mechanism that allows the pins to be fully retracted into a compact base portion, preventing them from extending beyond the surface, and can be easily deployed by converting rotational movement into linear forces to extend the pins perpendicularly for use
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable power plug assembly may include a lever-based mechanism for retracting the metal pins of the assembly such that they do not extend beyond a top surface of a base portion of the assembly and for subsequently extracting the pins from the base portion. When a force is applied to a first pin in a folding direction while the assembly is in a deployed state, the lever-based mechanism may be configured to retract both the first and second pins toward their respective fully retracted positions. When a force is applied to the first pin in an unfolding direction while the assembly is in a retracted state, the mechanism may be configured to unfold both the first and second pins toward their respective fully deployed positions. and extend them to their fully deployed positions. The lever-based mechanism may be simple and intuitive to operate using a single hand.