One-Step, an easy to plug in outlet.

What it does

One-Step is an outlet that you can plug in without having to see where the hole is every time. One-Step adjusts and rotates itself according to the direction of the plug being plugged in. This can be especially helpful to the visually impaired.

Your inspiration

"Why is it so hard to plug into outlets?" All of us have gone through the hassle of having to visually check and turn our hands around and about to reach the outlet hole. In fact, according to our survey, more than 70% of people said they experienced inconveniences, especially plugging-in inconveniences when using outlets. We saw that though it’s an inconvenience that everyone experiences, it’s always gone unnoticed. Thus, we decided to solve this small yet huge inconvenience that impacts anyone, anytime, anywhere.

How it works

The outlet standards used in Korea are C and F-Types, which have 2 outlet holes and are electrified when plugged in to match each hole. The characteristic of One-Step is that it rotates itself to fit the hole no matter what direction you plug it in. The conditions for generating 'rotation' are 'rotatable structure' and 'force-generating rotation'. First, the rotatable structure was designed so that each part could operate individually by dividing the inside of the product into an external case, a rotating part, and an electrode. Second, the 'force that generates rotation' uses an inclined surface. An inclined surface is formed around the outlet hole to guide the plug into the outlet hole, and a force pressing the inclined surface with the plug generates rotation in the rotation unit. At the end of the rotation, the outlet holes and plugs will match exactly.

Design process

The process can be largely divided into conceptualization, internal design, exterior design, and mold production. Currently, OCONNECT has made prototype molds for product testing and is preparing to make the internal terminals. The key role of One-Step is that it rotates itself. We studied the way in which the outlet could rotate by the user's force without a separate power and came up with a solution that uses torque force from inclined surfaces. In the initial model, there were 2 outlet holes, but in this case, the force to generate rotation was too high. We were able to increase the number of outlet holes to 4 and bring various benefits to the table. The probability of the outlet being plugged in was doubled, with it being able to be plugged in from all diagonal directions. In addition, the maximum rotation angle was lowered from 90 degrees to 45 degrees, which can lower the force required for rotation. Research is being conducted to further improve the contact method and rotation friction between the rotating section and the terminal so that the One-Step can be one complete product.

How it is different

Currently, no products in the outlet market focus on the convenience of outlet plugging. There are some similar concepts making use of slight slopes around the outlet hole, but they do not play a significant role, appearance or function-wise. One Step has three original characteristics. First, it uses a slope feature to rotate itself. It uses the force generated by the user when inserting the plug into the outlet. Second, there are 4 outlet holes. This doubles the likelihood of the outlet being accurately plugged in compared to existing products. Moreover, since it can be inserted in all diagonal directions, it can be an attractive option in today’s conditions where plug adapters are getting larger and larger. Third, it is possible to turn left and right up to 30 degrees through the product rotation unit. In addition to the fact that it can be inserted in all diagonal directions, it can be rotated up to 30 degrees, making it more convenient to use.

Future plans

From 2020, our company has been undergoing thorough research to commercialize our product. We aim to bring One-Step out into the market by the first half of 2023. Currently, our biggest goal is to define a new universal outlet standard called X-Type. It aims to designate Korea as the standard country using this outlet by entering not only the domestic but also foreign markets. Another goal of ours is to derive a new paradigm for outlets called 'rotational outlets'. It will be easy for anyone to use outlets and electronic devices any time, any place. We aim to become a company where when people think of outlets, they think of OCONNECT.

Awards

[Ulsan Regional University Startup Idea Contest] - Grand Prize [Bu-Ul-Gyeong Startup Day Future’s League] - Excellence Award