Coupler mounting structure for electric appliance, and electric appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing mounting structures for couplers in electric appliances lack a fool-proof mechanism, leading to potential safety hazards due to reverse mounting and poor consistency in EMC tests, as they do not prevent incorrect orientation during installation.
Innovation Solution
A coupler mounting structure with a fool-proof mechanism, featuring a bulge structure and positioning structures, ensures correct orientation by allowing insertion only in the intended direction, preventing interference with plug-in terminals when mounted incorrectly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional mounting structure without fool-proof mechanism is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to potential reverse mounting and safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by designing the fool-proof structure with a bulge that only permits insertion in one specific orientation. The bulge is positioned asymmetrically within the mounting groove, creating a geometric constraint that physically prevents reverse mounting. This asymmetric geometry ensures the coupler can only be inserted correctly, eliminating mounting errors while adding minimal structural complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a fool-proof structure is added to prevent reverse mounting, then the safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fool-proof structure is segmented into distinct functional components: the mounting groove provides the insertion path, the bulge creates the directional constraint, and the positioning structures ensure proper alignment. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function efficiently, preventing reverse mounting through the bulge's geometric interference while keeping the overall structure simple and modular.
3Manufacturing precision
If positioning structures are added to ensure correct orientation, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning structures are designed to automatically guide the coupler into the correct position during insertion. The geometric features of the mounting groove and bulge pre-determine the correct orientation, so that proper positioning is achieved automatically as part of the insertion action itself, without requiring additional adjustment steps or complex positioning mechanisms.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides a mounting structure of a coupler for an electric appliance, and an electric appliance. The coupler includes a coupler body and a plug-in terminal. The mounting structure includes a mounting groove allowing the coupler to be inserted. A fool-proof structure is disposed on an inside of the mounting groove. The fool-proof structure is configured such that: when the coupler is inserted into the mounting groove in a first direction, the fool-proof structure is inserted into a space between the plug-in terminals, so that the coupler is able to be inserted in place; and when the coupler is inserted into the mounting groove in other directions outside the first direction, the fool-proof structure is able to generate interference with the plug-in terminal, so that the coupler is blocked from being inserted. Through cooperation of the fool-proof structure and the plug-in terminal of the coupler, correct mounting of the coupler is ensured.