Silver Digital and Electronic Device Design · 2020
P.T Starlink PowerTRONEX X1 Multifunctional Power Bank
by Harry-HongWei Yang and Pat-Zheng Cui
- A' Design Award 2020 Silver Winner in Digital and Electronic Device Design
- Awarded April 15, 2020
- CLIENT: P.T Starlink
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 32,324
- Verification code D3F6304BA7 · Verify this award
About P.T Starlink PowerTRONEX X1 Multifunctional Power Bank
PowerTRONEX X1 is a multifunctional power bank that combines a power bank, a charger and a Type C cable in one device. The shell is made of fireproof polycarbonate with a touch-friendly coating, and the oval shape improves resistance to drops. A light strip, activated by a touch sensor, shows the power state: red indicates power being used and blue indicates power available in the battery. A small light at the base turns on when the plug is rotated, which helps when a socket is used in the dark. The output is 18 watts.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- PowerTRONEX X1 combines the functions of a power bank, charger and Type C cable into a single product. It adopts an innovative indicator design—the light strip which conveys the new concept to show the electricity: red indicates dissipating power and blue indicates available power in the battery. It's beautiful and it differs from any other products in the market. Also, a small light on the bottom will light up when rotating the plug, this is convenient when plugging it in the dark.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Product Size：70*80*35 mm
Battery Type: Cylinder Battery. Compatible with PD/QC 3.0/QC2.0.
Output: 18W. Power Input: Charge through Type C.
Light Strip: Activated by touch sensor around the light strip. Show ON/OFF status and electricity of battery left.
Light at bottom: Activated by a Hall Sensor. - Tags
- Power Bank, Charger, Multifunctional, Cable, Minimalism
- Production Technology
- Its shell is made of fireproof PC with a touch-friendly exterior coating to provide safety and a touch of comfort to hold. Also the material with the oval shape brings an enhancement of anti-to drop performance. The light strip is activated by touch sensor and the light at the bottom is activated by a Hall Sensor.
- Design Challenge
- It’s hard to integrate the whole system. The product is in an appropriate size of a normal 5000mAh power bank but we fused another two functions in it. It’s hard for the designers and engineers to work together to seek a solution that contains all the components in such an oval shape which is no bigger than those single square-shaped power banks. The hardest part contains the way we achieve the effect of the power indicator in gradual changing color. Also we tested a lot to ensure the light at the bottom activated well by the a Hall Sensor.
- Project Duration
- The project started in April 2017 and finished in May 2019 in Shanghai.
- Operation Flow
- By plugging in the cable or touching the light strip, the light strip will light up and the device is power-on. The small light at bottom will light up and help the users lighten the power socket as they rotate the power plug. By plugging the pins of the power plug into the socket, the device itself will be charged together with the external devices. Users can pull the built-in Type C cable out to charge other devices like phones or tablets. It can charge a notebook as well.
- Research
- A survey towards the market and users was carried out through the Internet and filed investigation.As the users carry a power bank, usually they need a cable and a charger as well. Market research shows more notebooks can be charged by power banks with PD technology. While the product in the market usually show electricity in 4 lights or a digital display, we designed an innovative one that differs others. We found that users in low light situation should be considered, so we designed an auxiliary light which is activated in a way conform to their behaviors.
- Inspiration
- The product contains all components people need to charge, that’s how the frame comes from.
The light strip design is inspired by a new version to the charging process. Charging and discharging are two opposite states of the device and are in a constant change and conversion to make the whole system be in harmony. The light strip and the changing color are designed to reveal the process. Also, other functions are inspired by behaviors of people when they charge. - Image Credits
- Image #1-5: Photographer / Rendering Harry-HongWei Yang, P.T Starlink PowerTRONEX X1, 2020.
- Patents
- Patented. CN209375193U Shanghai Lizhu Industrial Co., Ltd. 2018. National Intellectual Property Administration, PRC
Patented. CN209861234U Shanghai Lizhu Industrial Co., Ltd. 2018. National Intellectual Property Administration, PRC
Patented. CN305114789S Shanghai Lizhu Industrial Co., Ltd. 2018. National Intellectual Property Administration, PRC
Patent for Invention is in progress.