Protective Port for Male Charging and Trailer Plugs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Charger and trailer plugs are often left exposed, leading to damage from contaminants and physical harm due to lack of protection, despite existing cable holders that fail to secure the electrically conductive male ends.
Innovation Solution
A non-conductive terminal protective port designed to surround and secure the male plug of charging or connection cables, providing protection from contaminants and physical damage when not in use, integrated into devices or surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cable holders or clips are used to retain cables, then cable organization is improved, but the electrically conductive plug remains exposed and unprotected
Solution Approach 1:
The protective port is nested within the cable holder structure, creating a nested configuration where the port houses the exposed plug while the outer holder structure provides cable management. This nested design allows the plug to be protected within an enclosed space while the external holder continues to provide cable organization functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The device combines two functions into one integrated structure: cable retention through the holder portion and plug protection through the enclosed port. This multi-functional design addresses both cable organization and plug protection simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate components.
2Loss of time
If trailer plugs are left exposed for easy access, then connection speed is improved, but the plugs suffer from oxidation and physical damage
Solution Approach 1:
The protective port is pre-configured in the cable holder structure, ready to receive and protect the plug before any exposure to harmful environmental factors occurs. This preliminary protective arrangement ensures the plug is shielded during storage and transport, while quick connection is maintained when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective port employs a shell-like enclosure that can be designed with flexible or thin-walled construction, allowing easy access for connection while providing sufficient protection against oxidation and physical damage during non-use periods.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a protective covering is added to the plug, then protection from contaminants is improved, but access to the plug becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The protective port is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to transition between a closed protective state during storage and an open accessible state during connection. This dynamic design enables the plug to be protected when not in use while remaining easily accessible when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective device is segmented into distinct functional portions: the protective port enclosure and the external holder structure. This segmentation allows the plug access portion to remain open and accessible while the protective enclosure provides contamination protection, with each segment performing its specific function independently.
Data Source
AI summary
A plug protecting device is provided, including a housing and a non-conductive terminal protective port that corresponds to a male charging or connecting plug of an electronic device which provides a secure fit that protects the plug when not in use. An attachable vehicle to trailer plug protection device is also provided, including a housing and a terminal protective port that corresponds to a male plug of a trailer which provides a secure fit that protects the plug when not in use. Also provided are an integrated plug protecting device and an integrated trailer to vehicle plug protection device including respective terminal protective ports.