Interlocking Foldable Travel Plug for Single-Plug Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multifunctional travel plugs face issues with larger thickness, smaller internal space, higher center of gravity, and safety risks due to simultaneous operation of different plug types, leading to potential short-circuits and safety accidents.
Innovation Solution
A multifunctional travel plug design with foldable plugs on the same side, featuring an interlocking mechanism that prevents simultaneous operation, utilizing a movable limiting block and actuating blocks to restrict rotation of one plug when the other is in use, ensuring only one plug can be connected at a time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two different types of plugs are integrated in the same housing, then adaptability is improved, but the risk of simultaneous operation causing short-circuit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by designing an interlocking mechanism that prevents simultaneous operation of multiple plugs before a harmful event can occur. The limiting block and actuating blocks are configured to mechanically block the operation of one plug when another plug is in the operating state, thereby preemptively preventing short-circuit faults, electrical arcing, and device burnout.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a movable limiting block as an intermediary element that mediates between multiple plug assemblies. This limiting block interacts with actuating blocks of different plugs through limiting slots, serving as a mechanical mediator that ensures only one plug can be operated at a time, thus preventing harmful simultaneous connections while maintaining adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If push-button structure and track hole are added for pin switching, then plug functionality is improved, but overall thickness and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the switching mechanism and limiting functionality into a unified interlocking system. The actuating blocks and limiting slots are integrated such that the same mechanical structures serve both to switch pin configurations and to prevent simultaneous operation, eliminating the need for separate push-buttons and track holes, thereby reducing overall volume while maintaining full functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A multifunctional travel plug includes a housing, a first plug, and a second plug. The first plug and the second plug are disposed on a same side of the housing, and the housing is provided with a first accommodating slot configured to foldably accommodate the first plug and a second accommodating slot configured to foldably accommodate the second plug. When the first plug is opened, the second plug is restricted from opening, and when the second plug is opened, the first plug is restricted from opening. The foldable first plug and the second plug are disposed on the same side of the housing, and the two plugs are prevented from being opened simultaneously through an interlocking mechanism. There is no need to open holes or arrange a push-button structure on another side thereof, such that the plug has a smaller overall thickness and a larger internal space.