Desktop receptacle with rigid support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pop-up desktop receptacles are prone to wear, breakage, and tampering, especially in public areas where rough handling and curious users can cause the switching mechanism to malfunction or break, leading to accessibility issues.
Innovation Solution
A desktop receptacle design featuring a rigid support with a peripheral and angled portion attached to the top surface of a housing, providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance similar to pop-up models but with increased durability and no moving parts, using materials like stainless steel and strong adhesives to prevent deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a switching mechanism is used to switch the desktop receptacle between hidden and exposed positions, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to wear, breakage and tampering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the switching mechanism entirely from the receptacle design. The receptacle is permanently positioned in an exposed state, eliminating the moving parts and mechanical components that caused wear, breakage, and tampering issues while maintaining aesthetic appearance through proper positioning and design
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a mechanism to switch between hidden and exposed positions, the invention inverts the approach by making the receptacle permanently exposed. This eliminates the need for switching mechanisms while achieving reliability, proving that aesthetic appearance can be maintained without compromising durability
2Shape
If the desktop receptacle is installed in an out of sight location, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficult access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the receptacle at the edge of the desk surface where it remains visually appealing from most angles while being easily accessible from the front. This strategic placement achieves both aesthetic appearance and ease of operation simultaneously
3Reliability
If a rigid support with angled portion is used, then reliability is improved by eliminating moving parts, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid support is segmented into distinct functional portions: a peripheral portion that provides structural foundation and an angled portion that provides aesthetic appearance and housing support. This segmentation achieves reliability through rigidity while keeping each portion simple in design
Solution Approach 2:
The angled portion of the rigid support uses asymmetric geometry to achieve both structural strength and aesthetic appearance. The non-perpendicular angle provides visual interest and proper housing support while maintaining simplicity in the overall support structure
Data Source
AI summary
A desktop receptacle includes: a housing having a top surface, at least one electrical port formed therein, and defining an enclosed space configured to hold an electrical circuit; and a rigid support having a peripheral portion and an angled portion connected to the peripheral portion and attached to the top surface of the housing, the angled portion forming a holding angle relative to the peripheral portion that is not perpendicular.