Retractable Charger Redesign
DURATION: OCT 2025
PROJECT TYPE: Product Design
PROJECT OVERVIEW
This project reimagines the SHARGE retractable charger through an evaluation of its existing strengths and weaknesses. The redesign focuses on enhancing usability and portability while maintaining a compact, travel-friendly form. Throughout the process, feedback from non-designers was intentionally integrated to bring in diverse perspectives and ground the design in everyday user experience.
Retractable 65
Auto Retractable USB-C cable
70cm (27.6”) long cable
65W adapter
1 extra USB-C port
Compact palm fitting size
$35.90 on official website
What I want to improve…
“Cable is too short.”
Although the original charger is convenient to carry, its short cable length limits practical use in many everyday situations. When outlets are located far from tables or work surfaces, such as in cafes or studios, it becomes difficult to charge devices comfortably. This lack of reach reduces flexibility and convenience, especially in places where outlet availability and placement cannot be relied on.
“I can only charge a single device with a decent speed.”
The original 65W adapter can power a MacBook Air, but it lacks the capacity to charge multiple devices or higher-performance laptops simultaneously. While suitable for travel and light use, it falls short for professional users who rely on several devices throughout the day and often work in shared or temporary environments without access to a dedicated setup.
TARGET USER
Users who frequently move between locations to work or study, often rely on multiple devices, and require longer charging cables to accommodate varying outlet accessibility.
Idea Development
Ideation #1.
Additional retractable cable. (considering laptop + phone)
65W to 100W adapter, which gives less portability but advanced charging speed and number of devices charged.
Double the cable length. 27.6” to 60”
Ideation #2.
Replacing retracting mechanism to regular cable storage, in case the user needs USB to USB cable in order to connect a device to device.
2 versions. 65W version with smaller storage and 100W version with bigger storage.
Ideation #3.
Identical to ideation #1 but has a power bank feature.
Inspired by all-in-one chargers out in the market.
Interview (non-designer)
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
BBA in Marketing
Library / Cafe user
Multiple daily electronics user
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Questions the reliability of auto retracting mechanism.
Values retracting mechanism over storage due to usability in cable management.
Thinks the power bank feature is overkill.
Thinks $39 price is reasonable.
“What if the mechanism fails?”
“These days, most things are done online and I don’t think I connected my phone to the laptop for years.”
“I need to charge where electricity is available, not when moving from place to place. Plus, power bank will only make it heavier.”
“As a marketing major student and a student who lives in the library, $39 for a charger with such features seems attractive.”
Final Idea
A MANUAL retractable mechanism was chosen for its reliability and ease of repair through simple disassembly.
The design features a single cable to maintain portability and a compact form.
The cable length was extended to 60 inches to improve usability in diverse settings.
A larger 100W adapter was implemented to support high-performance laptops and multiple devices, with a slight trade-off in portability.
Mechanism Experiment
I 3D printed various manual cable retraction mechanisms to study their structure and functionality, allowing me to apply this understanding in my CAD modeling process.
Exploded View
Based off from the manual retractable mechanism experiment, I made a CAD model that resembles the final idea sketch with the mechanism integrated in the model.
3D PRINTED MECHANISM MODEL
REDESIGN POINTS
Auto retractable to manual retractable cable
27.6” cable to 60” cable
65W adapter to 100W adapter
1 extra USB-C port to 1 extra USB-A port and 1 extra USB-C port
