Electrical power unit for a work surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical outlets and receptacles are prone to wear and damage due to frequent use, misalignment, and excessive forces, leading to poor mechanical and electrical connections.
Innovation Solution
A modular electrical power or data unit with a damage-resistant design featuring an outer and inner housing, a circuit board substrate, and contact supports that limit movement during plug insertion, eliminating the need for separate fasteners and ensuring no exposed electrical conductors, allowing for adaptable configurations of outlet receptacles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional outlets and receptacles are used, then electrical connections can be established, but they are susceptible to wear and damage from frequent use, misalignment, and excessive forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by providing a contact support structure that extends into the receptacle opening to cushion and limit the movement of the electrical contact during plug insertion. This pre-positioned support structure absorbs and distributes the insertion forces, preventing excessive stress on the electrical contact and reducing wear and damage from frequent use and misalignment.
2Ease of operation
If electrical contacts are made accessible through receptacle openings, then electrical connections can be established, but exposed electrical conductors create safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing an inner housing that acts as a protective barrier between the exposed electrical conductors and the external environment. The inner housing encloses the electrical contacts while providing aligned openings that allow plug insertion, thereby mediating between the need for electrical connection accessibility and the need to prevent exposure of hazardous conductors.
3Adaptability or versatility
If modular design with inner and outer housings is used, then adaptability and assembly convenience are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the outlet assembly into distinct modular components: an outer housing, an inner housing, and a contact support structure. This segmentation allows each component to be independently designed, manufactured, and assembled, providing adaptability and versatility in outlet configurations while managing device complexity through standardized modular interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical power or electronic data unit includes an outer housing and an inner housing that is insertable into the outer housing. The outer housing has an outer front face panel defining an outer receptacle opening and the inner housing has an inner rear housing portion plus an inner front face portion defining an inner receptacle opening aligned with the outer receptacle opening. A circuit board substrate is positioned inside the inner housing with an electrical contact mounted to the board substrate and aligned with and accessible through the inner and outer receptacle openings. A contact support extends rearwardly from the inner front face portion adjacent the inner receptacle opening, the contact support serving to limit movement of the electrical contact during insertion of a plug or prong into engagement with the electrical contact.