Charging Socket Shutter Assembly for Foreign Object Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional charging sockets lack effective protection against foreign objects, which can accidentally trigger contact protection mechanisms and occupy unnecessary space, increasing the risk of unintended contact and potential safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A socket design featuring a housing with conductive elements protected by shutter assemblies, where each shutter moves into multiple positions to block mating ends, requiring simultaneous actuation by a plug to open, and includes rotatable members with blocking and actuating portions to secure the conductive elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional charging sockets use simple contact protection mechanisms, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of protection against foreign objects deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The contact protection mechanism is divided into multiple independent shutter assemblies, each protecting a specific conductive element. Each shutter can be independently actuated, providing segmented protection that enhances reliability while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The shutters are designed to be movable rather than fixed, transitioning between blocked and unblocked positions based on plug insertion. This dynamic protection mechanism adapts to operational needs, providing reliable protection when idle and seamless access during charging, resolving the contradiction between protection reliability and operational simplicity
2Reliability
If the shutter blocks a larger portion of the mating end, then the protection against foreign objects is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shutters are positioned to block the mating end before plug insertion begins. The plug's actuating portions are pre-configured to contact and move these shutters during the insertion process, ensuring protection is maintained until the moment of connection, thus resolving the conflict between extensive blocking and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The plug housing acts as an intermediary that simultaneously actuates multiple shutters during insertion. This mediator mechanism ensures that all shutters are coordinatedly moved by a single insertion action, maintaining comprehensive protection while preserving ease of operation through unified actuation
3Reliability
If multiple shutters are used to block different portions of the mating end, then the protection against foreign objects is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each shutter assembly serves multiple functions: it blocks the mating end to prevent foreign object contact, guides the plug insertion process, and provides mechanical actuation through the plug's actuating portions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby improving protection reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter assemblies are nested within the housing structure, with each shutter positioned within its designated chamber. This nested arrangement allows multiple protection mechanisms to coexist in a compact configuration, enhancing foreign object protection while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity through space-efficient design
Data Source
AI summary
A socket with compact protection for conductors against foreign objects. The socket comprises a housing having channels extending in a mating direction, power conductors disposed in the channels, and assemblies disposed on the channels to block entrances into the channels. The assemblies are within a chamber of the housing surrounded by a wall. Each assembly comprises a cover and shutters pivotably coupled to the cover. Each shutter has a blocking portion and an actuating portion configured to be actuated by the housing of a desired plug. When the actuating portion is actuated, the blocking portion moves away from blocking the entrance to the channel. When a mating plug is removed and the actuating portion returns to its rest state, the blocking portion automatically moves back to block the entrance to the channel. Such a configuration reduces the risk of anything other than terminals of the desired plug contacting the conductors.