Travel Power Adapter Vertical Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing travel power adapter systems with horizontal oriented designs often result in adapter assemblies becoming stuck in electrical receptacles when the base unit is removed, requiring uncomfortable positions and risking disconnection or damage.
Innovation Solution
A travel power adapter system featuring a vertical oriented design with a pivotal integral prong configuration and a locking mechanism, including a slider plate with traction elements and a locking protrusion, to securely engage and prevent unintentional disengagement of the adapter assembly from the base unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the adapter assembly is engaged in the same direction as the plug insertion, then the connection is simple, but the adapter assembly risks disconnection or damage when the base unit is removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the engagement direction to prevent the harmful effect of the adapter becoming stuck or disconnected. By engaging the adapter assembly perpendicular to the plug insertion direction, the system maintains simple engagement procedures while eliminating the risk of the adapter being pulled into the receptacle or becoming disconnected during base unit removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by designing the engagement geometry to preemptively prevent the harmful effect of the adapter becoming stuck in the receptacle. The perpendicular orientation of the adapter engagement relative to the plug insertion creates a mechanical constraint that prevents the adapter from being pulled into the receptacle before any removal action occurs.
Data Source
AI summary
A travel power adapter system includes a base unit and a plurality of adapter assemblies. The base unit provides an integral prong configuration associated with an intrinsic electrical plug standard. Each adapter assembly provides a prong configuration associated with a different extrinsic electrical plug standard. The base unit provides a base recess that the integral prong configuration can pivot into in a nested condition. Each adapter assembly provides coupling sleeves dimensioned to slidably receive, in a first direction, the plurality of prongs in the nesting condition, forming an operative association between the base unit and the prong configuration of the adapter assembly, enabling an electrical connection to a receptacle or socket associated with the extrinsic electrical plug standard. The adapter assembly provides a locking unit that engages a locking slot of the base recess, thereby preventing the adapter assembly unintentionally moving in the reverse first direction.