Retractable Cable Wall Outlet Charging Station
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional charging stations are often bulky, unsightly, and lack portability, with insufficient outlets and frequently require additional cables and connectors, making them inconvenient for charging portable electronic devices, especially when users cannot locate compatible charging cables and connectors.
Innovation Solution
A unitary wall outlet charging station with a retractable design that plugs into a standard wall outlet, featuring two independently rotatable cables with different connectors types, allowing for adjustable extension and concealment within the outlet body, resembling a standard wall outlet faceplate for a sleek appearance and space efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional charging stations are used to provide multiple charging ports, then charging capability for multiple devices is improved, but device bulkiness and visual clutter increase
Solution Approach 1:
The charging cables are nested within the outlet body housing, with cables stored inside the wall outlet plug body and extending outward only when needed. This nesting approach allows multiple charging cables to be housed within a compact outlet structure, providing multi-device charging capability without increasing external bulkiness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the wall space dimension by designing a plug-in outlet that mounts to vertical wall surfaces rather than occupying horizontal desk space. This dimensional transition from horizontal surface placement to vertical wall mounting reduces clutter on work surfaces while maintaining multiple charging ports.
2Ease of operation
If conventional charging stations are placed on desks or surfaces, then charging functionality is provided, but space on the desk or surface is occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The charging station transitions from horizontal surface placement to vertical wall mounting, utilizing the wall dimension rather than desk surface area. The outlet body includes mounting features for attachment to vertical surfaces, freeing up horizontal work space while maintaining charging functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple charging cables are provided for different connector types, then compatibility with various devices is improved, but ease of locating the correct cable becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet body is segmented into distinct cable compartments, with each connector type (USB-A, USB-C, Lightning) housed in a separate section. This segmentation allows users to quickly identify and access the needed cable type without searching through a mixed collection, improving ease of operation while maintaining multi-device compatibility.
4Power
If charging stations have non-adjustable lengthy power cords, then power supply capability is provided, but space consumption and portability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The power cord transitions from a fixed-length design to an adjustable retractable mechanism. The cord can be extended to the needed length for power supply and then retracted to minimize space consumption, providing both adequate power delivery and portability flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A unitary wall outlet charging station for charging portable electronic devices including a unitary unitary wall outlet plug body operably configured to be removeably plugged into a wall outlet disposed on a building wall, the unitary unitary wall outlet plug body having an inner surface of each of a front face, a rear face, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall defining a cavity; a set of wall outlet plugs extending outwardly from the rear face; and a wall outlet disposed on the front face. The unitary wall outlet charging station further includes a pair of retractable cables each having a connector coupled to an end thereof and each disposed within the cavity in a retracted configuration and outside of the cavity in an extended configuration.