Multifunction Power Adapter with Retractable Storage Tray

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable electronic devices require additional components like power adapters and earphones for functionality, which can be bulky and inconvenient to carry, especially during extended travel.

Innovation Solution

A multifunctional adapter or interface unit integrated within the portable electronic device, capable of providing various connection functions such as power adaptation and user input/output operations, with a mode selector to configure the device for different functions and a retractable storage tray for peripherals like earphones.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If power adapter and earphones are carried separately, then functionality is complete, but portability and space efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidportability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the power adapter and earphones into a single integrated unit that can be stored within the portable electronic device. The power adapter plug, earphones, and storage compartment form one unified assembly, eliminating the need to carry separate components and improving portability while maintaining complete functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The earphones and power adapter are nested within the body of the power adapter unit. The earphones are stored in a compartment within the adapter body, and the entire assembly can be retracted into or stored within the portable electronic device, creating a nested configuration that maximizes space efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Volume of moving object

If power adapter and earphones are integrated into the device, then portability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoidintegration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated unit is divided into distinct functional segments: the power adapter plug portion with terminal pins, the body portion with storage compartment, and the earphones. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall integration, reducing the complexity burden of the combined system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The power adapter unit serves multiple functions: it provides power charging through the terminal pins, stores earphones in its body compartment, and can have the earphones actively used for audio output. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise be separate devices into one universal unit, improving portability without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9921614B2Power adapter unit with integrated input/output interface, and portable electronic device with storage recess for multifunction power adapter

Publication Date: 2018.03.20 AQUATERRA

AI summary

A multifunctional adapter or interface unit for a portable electronic device, the adapter unit being stored or stowable within the portable electronic device and being operable as a power adaptor, user input/output device, and/or data transfer unit. The power adaptor includes a plug body with a retractable tray for storing a user input/output device, e.g. a peripheral device such as earphones.