Modular Travel Adapter with Nesting Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable power adapters and converters are often bulky, inconvenient to use, and lack durability, failing to effectively accommodate various physical and voltage standards across different geographical regions.
Innovation Solution
A modular, three-piece adapter-converter assembly with multiple physical interfaces and electrical conversion functions, featuring a main body with universal female outlets and rotatable male plugs, allowing for versatile configurations to match diverse outlet standards and voltage ranges, including a high power TRIAC power converter circuit and surge protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single unitary adapter-converter device is used to accommodate multiple voltage and physical standards, then versatility is improved, but device size and bulkiness worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter-converter device is divided into separate modular components: a main body with voltage conversion capability and removable adapter attachments for different physical outlet standards. This segmentation allows the voltage conversion function to remain compact while adding versatility through interchangeable attachments rather than incorporating all functions into one bulky unitary device
Solution Approach 2:
The main body of the adapter-converter is designed with universal female receptacles that can accept multiple types of male plugs through different adapter attachments. The voltage conversion circuitry handles multiple voltage ranges (110V/220V, 50Hz/60Hz), making the core device universally applicable across different geographical regions when combined with appropriate adapters
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple adapter configurations are integrated into a single device, then adaptability to different outlet standards is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to complexity
Solution Approach 1:
Different physical outlet adaptations are segmented into separate removable adapter attachments rather than being integrated into a single complex unit. Users can easily attach or detach the appropriate adapter for the specific outlet standard they need, simplifying operation compared to navigating a bulky multi-configured device
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter attachments are designed to be dynamically interchangeable - users can quickly swap between different adapter types (e.g., Type A, Type C, Type G) depending on the location's outlet standard. This dynamic reconfigurability through simple attachment/detachment operations improves ease of use compared to fixed multi-configured devices
3Volume of moving object
If a compact modular design is used, then ease of storage and transport is improved, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The removable adapter attachments are designed to nest within or attach to the main body of the adapter-converter device when not in use. This nesting arrangement allows all components to be stored in a compact form factor, reducing storage and transport volume while maintaining the modular architecture for ease of configuration
Data Source
AI summary
An adapter-converter assembly for use with an electrical outlet is disclosed including a main body having a first, second and third universal female outlets defining first, second and third outlet configurations, and a first male plug defining a first plug configuration. A second body has a fourth universal female outlet defining the second outlet configuration and a second male plug defining a second plug configuration. The second male plug is receivable in at least one of the female outlets and the fourth female outlet is configured to receive the first male plug. A third body has a fifth universal female outlet defining the third outlet configuration and a third male plug defining a third plug configuration. The third male plug receivable in at least one of the first, second and third female outlets and the fifth female outlet is configured to receive the first male plug.