Sliding Car Charger Plug with Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable car chargers are bulky and cumbersome, making them difficult to store due to their size, and they lack a compact design that allows for efficient use of both DC and AC power sources.
Innovation Solution
A compact car charger with a slidable car charger plug that can be locked in both fully retracted and fully extended positions, utilizing a biased slide switch mechanism for secure engagement with a car charge port and including a pair of AC plug connector prongs and a USB port for alternative power sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the car charger plug is made extendable for secure connection, then connection reliability is improved, but device volume increases making it bulky for storage
Solution Approach 1:
The car charger plug is designed to be dynamically extendable and retractable rather than fixed. It can be extended when connection is needed and retracted when not in use, allowing the device to adapt its volume based on operational requirements. This resolves the contradiction by making the plug size variable rather than constantly large.
Solution Approach 2:
The car charger plug is nested within the charger body when not in use. The plug can be fully retracted into the housing, making the overall device compact for storage. When needed, it extends outward for connection, providing both compact storage and reliable connection capability.
2Volume of moving object
If the car charger plug is made retractable for compact storage, then device volume is reduced, but connection security deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The plug transitions from a static design to a dynamic one with defined extended and retracted positions. When extended for connection, it provides secure engagement; when retracted, it achieves compact storage. The dynamic nature allows both requirements to be met at different times.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug is pre-positioned in a retracted state within the housing for compact storage. When connection is needed, it is extended to the proper position. This preliminary positioning ensures that the plug is ready for secure connection when deployed while maintaining compact form during storage.
3Ease of operation
If a pivoting plug design is used for flexibility, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of a complex pivoting mechanism, the invention uses a simpler linear sliding mechanism. The plug moves along a guide track within the housing, providing flexibility and ease of operation through simple push-to-extend and pull-to-retract actions, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining operational flexibility.
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 solution provides a compact and versatile car charger that occupies less space while offering secure connections for both DC and AC power, enhancing usability and storage efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Upon depression of the slide switch against the bias of a spring recessed within a blind hole of the car charger plug, the slide switch is allowed to move along a slide track within the car charger body.
Data Source
AI summary
A car charger plug is slidably mounted within a body of the compact car charger. The car charger plug is lockable in a fully retracted position and lockable in a fully extended position, so as to maintain its compact size when not in use, and provide a secure connection with a car charge port when desired.