Travel Adapter Plug Sleeve Layout for Compact Pin Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing travel adapters have a large overall volume due to separate spaces occupied by first and second standard plug pins, resulting in an elongated and bulky design.
Innovation Solution
A travel adapter design with first standard plug pins positioned on one side of the plug sleeve and ground plug pin on the opposite side, incorporating a telescopic assembly with a push tab and telescopic mechanism to slide and extend the second standard plug pins, utilizing a gear and rack system for additional stroke, and limiting protrusions for secure positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If first standard plug pins and second standard plug pins are arranged separately in the housing, then each plug pin can be properly positioned and function, but the overall length and volume of the travel adapter become large
Solution Approach 1:
The second standard plug pins are nested within the plug sleeve, which itself is mounted on the housing. The telescopic assembly allows the second plug pins to extend from within the plug sleeve when needed, and retract when not in use. This nesting arrangement allows both first and second standard plug pins to share the same spatial footprint on the housing exterior, significantly reducing the overall volume of the travel adapter while maintaining full functionality of both plug pin sets.
2Volume of moving object
If telescopic assembly with gear and rack system is added to enable extension of second standard plug pins, then compactness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces a potentially complex multi-component telescopic mechanism with a streamlined gear and rack system. The gear is rotatably mounted within the plug sleeve and engages with racks that are mounted to both the housing and the support carrying the second plug pins. When the plug sleeve is rotated, the gear turns and drives the racks linearly, extending or retracting the second plug pins. This mechanical substitution provides a compact, reliable telescopic function with fewer parts and simpler assembly compared to traditional telescopic designs.
Data Source
AI summary
A travel adapter is disclosed, which includes a housing and first standard plug pins and second standard plug pins mounted to the housing, the first standard plug pins including a first live wire plug pin, a first neutral wire plug pin, and a ground plug pin, the second standard plug pins including a plug sleeve slidably mounted to the housing in a Z-axis direction, where the first live wire plug pin and the first neutral wire plug pin are located on a first side of the plug sleeve, and the ground plug pin is located on a second side of the plug sleeve opposite to the first side. The travel adapter provided in the present application has the feature of compact structure.