AC Socket Rear Height Reduction via Front-Exposed Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display apparatuses face challenges in minimizing the height of AC sockets protruding from the rear side of printed circuit boards, preventing damage from high voltage or lightning strikes, and enhancing the external appearance and durability of power cords by reducing their protrusion length and preventing movement.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an AC socket with a step portion on its rear surface to seat the rear cover, a partition between connection terminals to increase the creeping distance, and a power connector with a 'Y' shaped partition and rib structure to enhance stability and reduce size, while the power cord features a flexible cable connection part and guide protrusions for secure installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the AC socket protrudes to the rear side of the printed circuit board to accommodate connection terminals, then the connection terminal can be exposed through the rear cover hole, but the height of the AC socket increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the connection terminal from a rear-exposed configuration to a front-exposed configuration through the socket body. The terminal extends through the socket body from the front surface, allowing connection while minimizing rear protrusion height. This dimensional reconfiguration resolves the contradiction by achieving connectivity without increasing the AC socket's rear height.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection terminal is nested within the socket body structure, extending through it rather than protruding from the rear. The terminal is housed within the socket's internal space, with only the connection portion exposed at the front. This nesting approach allows the AC socket to maintain a compact rear height while still providing accessible connection terminals.
2Volume of stationary object
If connection terminals are spaced closely to reduce socket size, then device compactness is improved, but the creeping distance decreases making the printed circuit board vulnerable to high voltage or lightning strikes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a partition structure as an intermediary element between the connection terminals. This partition, formed of insulating material, physically separates the terminals and extends along the rear surface, thereby increasing the creeping distance. The partition acts as a mediator that provides electrical isolation while allowing the terminals to remain relatively close together, thus maintaining compact AC socket size while enhancing safety against high voltage and lightning strikes.
3Ease of operation
If the power cord protrudes longer from the electronic device for easy connection, then ease of operation is improved, but the external appearance is degraded and the cord is more susceptible to movement and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a flexible cable connection part with bending capability into the power cord assembly. This flexible section allows the power cord to dynamically adapt to connection movements while maintaining a compact overall length. The flexible cable portion absorbs movement stresses and enables easy plugging/unplugging operations without requiring excessive cord length, thus preserving both ease of operation and aesthetic appearance.
4Shape
If the power cord is made shorter to improve appearance, then external appearance and coherence are enhanced, but the cord becomes more susceptible to movement and arc generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a guide protrusion structure that extends from the electronic device housing to guide and constrain the power cord's movement path. This guide structure provides beforehand cushioning by pre-defining the cord's trajectory, preventing excessive movement and bending stresses. The guide protrusion ensures the power cord follows a protected path, reducing the risk of arc generation and mechanical damage, thus enhancing reliability while maintaining a short cord length for aesthetic purposes.
Data Source
AI summary
A display apparatus in which a height of an AC socket protruding to a rear side of a printed circuit board is reduced and a power cord is provided to be in close contact with a product to provide a display apparatus in which a creeping distance is increased to prevent the printed circuit board from being damaged by a high voltage or a stroke of lightning.