Travel Adapter Integrating Multiple Plug Standards
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Different countries have varying power plug standards, leading to inconvenience for travelers who need to carry multiple plugs for international trips, resulting in a cumbersome and inefficient experience.
Innovation Solution
A travel adapter that integrates plugs meeting multiple country standards into one device, allowing easy switching between them, featuring a housing, plug bush seat, support frame, and pin assembly with sliding and locking mechanisms for secure and convenient use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users carry multiple power plugs for different countries, then plug compatibility across countries is improved, but user burden and inconvenience increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple country-specific power plugs (US, UK, EU, Australia standards) into a single integrated adapter unit. The adapter housing contains multiple plug assemblies that can be selectively positioned, allowing users to have all plug types available in one device rather than carrying separate plugs for each country.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter is designed as a universal power solution that can adapt to multiple different power standards simultaneously. By incorporating plug assemblies for different countries within one adapter, the device performs multiple functions (compatibility with various outlets) while reducing the number of separate devices users need to carry.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple plug assemblies are integrated into one adapter, then plug compatibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter internally segments different plug assemblies (US plug, UK plug, EU plug, Australia plug) as separate, modular components within the housing. Each plug assembly can be independently positioned or retracted, allowing the complex multi-plug adapter to maintain organizational simplicity through clear segmentation of its functional elements.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple plug assemblies are nested within the adapter housing in a compact arrangement. The plug assemblies are positioned in recesses or slots within the housing, allowing them to be stored efficiently when not in use and deployed when needed, reducing the overall footprint of the multi-functional adapter.
3Ease of operation
If plug assemblies are made retractable, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plug assemblies are designed to be dynamically repositionable within the adapter housing. Users can slide or push the desired plug assembly into the protruding position for use, while other plugs retract into the housing. This dynamic positioning mechanism allows easy switching between different plug types without requiring complex mechanical assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractable plug mechanism is designed to be user-actuated through simple manual operation. When a user pushes or slides a plug assembly, it automatically positions itself for use or retraction, eliminating the need for complex mechanical linkages, motors, or additional control mechanisms. The system serves itself through direct user manipulation.
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
Enables seamless use of multiple power standards in different countries with a single adapter, reducing travel burden and enhancing user experience by providing a compact and efficient solution for plug compatibility.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic device, which is provided between the plug bush seat and the support frame and makes the support frame able to be restored after sliding, the elastic device being a spring
Data Source
AI summary
A travel adapter, belonging to the technical field of plugs. The travel adapter comprises a housing (10), a plug bush seat (11), a support frame (71) and a pin assembly (12), the plug bush seat (11) being provided in the housing (10), the support frame (71) being located under the plug bush seat (11) and connected to the plug bush seat (11), multiple sets of the plug assemblies (12) being provided on the support frame (71), respectively; the support frame (71) being fixedly connected on the plug bush seat (11) in a vertical direction, and sliding along the plug bush seat (11) in a horizontal direction. The travel adapter can integrate plugs meeting the plug standards of different countries into one adapter and is easily to switch, solving the problem of the use of plugs during the travel in multiple countries.