Multi-way Sliding Plug with Interlocking C-shaped Slides
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multiple plugs lack the capability to accommodate three pins and fail to incorporate plug types from major industrial countries in a compact design.
Innovation Solution
The design features a multiple plug with three electrically conductive pins arranged on a common slide, forming C-, G-, or U-shapes, allowing for a compact configuration where sliders interlock, enabling the inclusion of multiple plug types, including those from significant countries like the USA, Switzerland, Italy, and Germany, with a locking mechanism to secure the pins in the active position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple plug contacts of different standards are included in a single housing, then the versatility and adaptability of the plug is improved, but the device complexity and the number of individual parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate plug contacts (US, UK, AU, CH/IT standards) into a single integrated housing structure. The C-shaped slides are interconnected such that they share common structural elements, merging what would traditionally be separate plug devices into one unified multiple plug unit, thereby reducing the number of individual parts while maintaining compatibility with different national standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing and slide structure is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - accommodating different plug standards (US, UK, AU, CH/IT) within a single device. The universal C-shaped slide design allows each plug contact to be integrated into the same housing, enabling one plug to serve multiple countries' electrical standards without requiring separate individual plugs for each standard.
2Volume of moving object
If three electrically conductive pins are arranged on a common C-shaped slide, then the compactness of the plug is improved, but the manufacturing precision required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The three electrically conductive pins (phase, neutral, ground) are nested along the C-shaped slide structure, with pins positioned at different locations along the C-shape's length. This nesting arrangement allows all three pins to be accommodated within the compact C-shaped footprint, minimizing the overall volume while maintaining proper spacing and electrical isolation between pins.
Solution Approach 2:
The C-shaped slide provides a curved geometric framework that naturally spaces the three pins along its arc. This curved arrangement optimizes the use of space compared to a linear arrangement, allowing the pins to be positioned at optimal distances from each other while keeping the overall plug compact. The curvature of the C-shape helps distribute the pins in a space-efficient manner.
3Volume of moving object
If sliders are arranged to mutually engage with one leg in the intermediate space of the other slide, then the compactness is improved, but the reliability of electrical connection may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple plug contacts are segmented into separate C-shaped slides that can move independently within the housing. Each slide is a distinct component that can be extended or retracted separately, allowing for reliable electrical connections to be established and maintained for each plug standard independently. This segmentation ensures that the extension mechanism for one plug contact does not interfere with the electrical connection of another.
Solution Approach 2:
The slides are designed to be dynamically extendable and retractable, allowing the plug contacts to be extended only when needed. The dynamic extension mechanism ensures that when a slide is extended, the pins make reliable contact with the corresponding socket contacts, while when retracted, the pins are safely stored within the housing. This dynamic design maintains connection reliability while enabling compact storage.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a multi-way sliding plug (11), comprising a housing (13) and at least two plug contacts (40,50) of differing standards, which can be slid into the housing (13) into a passive position and out of the housing into an active position. Said plug contacts (40,50) each have a slide (47,57) with an operating head (15) and electrically conducting pins (41,43,45;51,53,55). The individual plug contacts (40,50) have three electrically conducting pins (41,43,45;51,53,55) on a common slider. At least two of said slides (47,57) are in a C-shape and arranged in opposition with the ends of the C-shape between the ends of the C-shape of the other slider (47,57).