Plug Conversion Adapter with Adjustable Electrode Pin Interval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plug conversion adapters face difficulties in opening the shutter of AC power plug sockets where the shutter is designed to open by the electrode pins pushing both corners of the insertion openings, particularly for plugs with circular cross-sections like B, C, and SE types, due to the adjustable interval of the electrode pins making it hard to properly align and push the corners.
Innovation Solution
The adapter features a design with a second casing that includes rotatable electrode pins and earth insertion opening pins, along with a movable mechanism that allows the interval between the electrode pins to be controlled and fixed at a maximum, enabling easy opening of the shutter in BF type sockets by maintaining the pins at a fixed maximum interval, and accommodating various AC power plug socket types through interchangeable casings and movable members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the interval between electrode pins is made adjustable to accommodate various plug types, then adaptability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because it becomes difficult to properly push both corners of insertion openings to open the shutter
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode pins are made movable along the insertion direction through a moving mechanism, allowing the interval between pins to be dynamically adjusted. This enables the adapter to adapt to different plug types while maintaining the capability to properly position both corners of the insertion openings for shutter opening, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The interval between electrode pins is changed as a variable parameter through the moving mechanism. By adjusting this parameter, the adapter can accommodate various plug types with different pin spacings while ensuring that the corners of the insertion openings remain properly positioned to open the shutter, thereby maintaining both adaptability and ease of operation
2Adaptability or versatility
If the electrode pins are made movable to adjust the interval, then adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the moving mechanism and spring components
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode pins are designed to be movable under their own weight or through simple spring biasing, without requiring complex actuation mechanisms. The moving mechanism utilizes the natural properties of the pins and simple elastic elements to achieve automatic adjustment, thereby improving adaptability while minimizing the increase in 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
The adapter effectively copes with multiple plug types by ensuring the shutter can be easily opened even in sockets with complex opening mechanisms, and allows for compact transportation and use across various AC power plug standards by adjusting and fixing the electrode pin interval, enhancing compatibility and usability.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic member 9 which biases the pair of first movable members 5A and 5B in a direction in which they become separated from each other
Data Source
Figure 1A~1F
Figure 2A~2F
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Provided is a plug conversion adapter which can easily open a shutter even in the case of a BF type AC power plug socket and can also be even in other types of AC power plug sockets. The interval between a pair of electrode pins can be controlled by operating a pair of first movable members, and thus the plug conversion adapter can be used in a larger number of types of AC power plug sockets. The interval between the pair of first movable members is restricted by a second movable member at a maximum, and thus a shutter can also be easily opened even in the case of an AC power plug socket that has a structure in which the shutter is opened by pushing both corners of the pair of electrode pin insertion openings.