Integrated Outlet With Retractable Charging Cords for Cord Availability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical outlets require separate cords for different mobile devices, leading to cord loss and inconvenience in charging, limiting the usage of mobile phones due to the need for external power sources.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device electrical outlet with a main body containing removably disposed sockets and charging cords, including aperture covers and a safety unit that automatically retracts cords and disables power upon detecting excessive pressure, accommodating various mobile device types without external cords.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional electrical outlets with separate cords are used for different mobile devices, then electrical power can be provided to mobile devices, but cords are frequently lost and users cannot easily locate them, creating inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electrical outlet and charging cords into a single integrated unit. The outlet housing contains multiple charging cords with different connectors (USB-A, USB-C, Lightning, Micro-USB) that can be directly connected to mobile devices, eliminating the need to search for separate cords and ensuring charging availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet is designed with universal functionality by incorporating multiple types of charging cords (USB-A, USB-C, Lightning, Micro-USB) within the same housing. This allows the outlet to charge various types of mobile devices using different connector standards, making it adaptable to different device types without requiring separate outlets for each cord type.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple charging cords are provided for different mobile device types, then various devices can be charged, but the outlet structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing multiple charging cords inside the outlet housing. The cords are stored within the housing structure, with each cord neatly organized and accessible through the housing. This nested arrangement allows multiple cords to coexist in a compact space without creating external complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple charging cords and their connectors into a single integrated outlet unit. Instead of having separate outlets for each cord type, all cords are combined within one housing, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining compatibility with different mobile device types.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If aperture covers are added to cover cord apertures, then safety is improved by preventing access to internal components, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture covers are pre-installed on the outlet housing to cover the cord apertures before use. This preliminary protective action prevents accidental access to internal components and electrical hazards. The covers are spring-loaded to automatically open when a cord is inserted and close when removed, providing continuous safety without requiring user intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded aperture covers automatically open and close based on cord insertion and removal, without requiring manual operation. This self-service mechanism maintains safety while accommodating cord usage, reducing the need for additional control mechanisms and minimizing overall device complexity.
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
Enables convenient charging of mobile devices without external cords, accommodating different types and ensuring safety by preventing electrical hazards from excessive pressure.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the plurality of charging cords may be connected to a spring to retract automatically within the main body in response to being tugged.
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of aperture covers springingly disposed on at least a portion of the main body to cover the plurality of cord apertures in a first position and at least partially open away from the plurality of cord apertures in a second position.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile device electrical outlet, including a main body, a plurality of sockets removably disposed within at least a portion of an interior of the main body to provide electrical power in response to receiving a connection from an electrical plug, and a plurality of charging cords disposed within at least a portion of the interior of the main body to provide electrical power in response to receiving a connection from a mobile device.