Barbed Prong Retention Device for Plug Receptacle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices, especially data storage equipment, often experience unintended disconnection of power cords from AC power sources, leading to power supply disruptions.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus comprising a receptacle body and a retention device with barbed prongs that securely retain a plug by contacting the plug's shroud, preventing unintentional disconnection through an interference fit mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a standard receptacle and plug connection is used, then the device complexity is low and ease of manufacture is high, but the reliability is poor due to inadvertent disconnection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidreceptacle structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retention device is segmented into multiple independent barbed prongs that can be manufactured separately and then assembled into the receptacle body, simplifying the manufacturing process while providing reliable retention through multiple contact points

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The barbed prongs act as an intermediary mechanism between the plug shroud and the receptacle body, providing a mechanical retention force that prevents inadvertent disconnection while maintaining compatibility with standard plugs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a retention device with barbed prongs is added to the receptacle, then the reliability improves by preventing disconnection, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidreceptacle structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retention device is merged with the receptacle body as an integrated assembly, where the barbed prongs are positioned within the receptacle to contact the plug shroud, combining the functions of power delivery and mechanical retention in a single component

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The barbed prongs are designed to automatically engage with the plug shroud upon insertion, providing self-retaining functionality without requiring additional actuators or complex mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Force

If the barbed prongs contact the plug shroud, then the retention force increases preventing disconnection, but the ease of operation decreases due to difficulty in removing the plug

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretention forceVSAvoidplug removal

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The barbed prongs are designed with flexible characteristics that allow them to dynamically adjust during plug insertion and removal, providing strong retention during normal operation while allowing controlled release when removal force is applied

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9276357B2Apparatus for retaining a plug in a receptacle

Publication Date: 2016.03.01 VERTIV CORP

AI summary

The present disclosure is an apparatus for retaining a plug within a receptacle. The apparatus for retaining a plug within a receptacle may include a receptacle body and a retention device. The retention device may include a face portion and at least one prong, each prong of the at least one prong including a barb. The retention device is configured to retain a plug inserted within the receptacle body by contact with a shroud of the plug from the barb of each prong of the at least one prong of the retention device.