Multi-plug Power Adapter Rotary Helical Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power adapters lack a mechanism to prevent multiple plugs from being pushed out simultaneously, posing safety risks due to user carelessness, as they do not have a locking device for other plugs when a single standard plug is inserted.
Innovation Solution
A power adapter with multiple standard plugs and outlets features a rotary pillar with helical grooves, allowing only one plug to be pushed out by using flanges that slide into corresponding grooves, ensuring other plugs remain locked, along with additional safety features like fuses, springs, positioning magnets, surge protection, and USB outputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple plugs are provided in the power adapter without a locking mechanism, then the adapter can support multiple devices simultaneously, but multiple plugs can be pushed out at the same time causing safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into individual control units, each associated with a specific plug. When one plug is pushed out, its corresponding locking unit is activated to prevent other plugs from being pushed out simultaneously, thus maintaining both multi-device support and safety
Solution Approach 2:
A intermediary locking mechanism is introduced between the plugs and the adapter body. This locking unit acts as a mediator that controls the movement of multiple plugs, ensuring that only one can be pushed out at a time while others remain locked in place
2Reliability
If a locking device is added to prevent multiple plugs from being pushed out, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is merged with the existing plug structure and adapter body. The locking unit is integrated into the overall design rather than being a separate add-on component, thus improving safety while minimizing the increase in device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism operates automatically based on the state of the plugs. When a plug is pushed out, the locking unit self-activates to lock other plugs in place without requiring additional control systems or complex mechanisms
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
This design enhances safety, simplifies the structure, expands application range, reduces costs, and makes the adapter more convenient to use and carry, while preventing accidental electric shocks by ensuring only one plug can be used at a time.
Implementation Method 1
The surface of the rotary pillar has helical grooves. Each plug has a flange toward a corresponding groove in the rotary pillar, and the flange can slide into and along the corresponding groove of the rotary pillar.
Implementation Method 2
between the buttons and the plugs are disposed springs
Implementation Method 3
The rotary pillar is installed with one or more positioning magnets, a housing or plug of the adaptor is installed with one or more positioning magnets to fix the rotary pillar after retracting plug
Data Source
AI summary
A power adaptor equipped with multi-plug and multi-outlet comprises more than one different specification plug and more than one different specification outlet. The respective plugs can be pushed out of a body of the adapter via a rotary pillar. The rotary pillar is disposed in the center of an area defined by the different specification plugs and is rotatable relative to the respective plugs. The surface of the rotary pillar has helical grooves, each plug a flange toward a corresponding groove in the rotary pillar, and the flange can slide into and along the corresponding helical groove.