Electrical safety plug
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerated display cases and freezer cases pose electrical hazards during cleaning and maintenance due to exposed electrical outlets, which can lead to shock risks and make it difficult for users to clean around the electrical components safely.
Innovation Solution
An electrical safety plug with a nonconductive plug body and tether system that attaches to the electrical harness, lifting it away from the work area using interlocking devices and tension, thereby protecting users from electrical discharge and allowing safe cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the electrical outlet is left exposed during cleaning and maintenance, then the cleaning process can proceed without obstruction, but electrical shock hazards and water ingress risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
A non-conductive plug body with pins is inserted into the electrical outlet to serve as an intermediary barrier. This plug physically blocks access to the live electrical contacts, preventing shock hazards while allowing the cleaning process to proceed unobstructed. The plug acts as a mediator between the electrical hazard and the cleaning operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical outlet is extracted or removed from the base member during cleaning operations. By taking out the outlet, the hazardous electrical component is completely separated from the cleaning area, eliminating the shock hazard while maintaining full cleaning accessibility.
2Reliability
If the electrical outlet is covered or protected during cleaning, then electrical safety is improved, but cleaning accessibility and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The non-conductive plug body serves as an intermediary protective element that maintains electrical safety without impeding cleaning operations. Its design allows it to fulfill the safety function while being unobtrusive during the cleaning process.
Solution Approach 2:
A dummy plug or cover is used that replicates the appearance and function of a standard plug without containing live electrical components. This copying approach provides safety protection while maintaining the aesthetic and functional appearance of a properly connected outlet.
3Reliability
If the electrical harness is left in place during maintenance, then the electrical connection remains intact, but the harness interferes with cleaning operations and creates safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical outlet is extracted or removed from the base member during cleaning operations. By taking out the outlet, the hazardous electrical component is completely separated from the cleaning area, eliminating the shock hazard while maintaining full cleaning accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical outlet is made dynamically removable and reattachable. During cleaning operations, the outlet can be easily detached from the base member and then reattached afterward, allowing the system to adapt its configuration based on operational needs versus safety needs.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples provide an electrical safety plug including a nonconductive plug body. A set of pins conform to a set of pin connector slots in an electrical outlet. A tether is threaded through a tether connection aperture in an anchor couple. A first inter-locking device on the anchor couple removably attaches to a second inter-locking device on a return couple having an attachment member. The first interlocking device disengages from the second interlocking device to separate the anchor couple from the return couple during use. The anchor couple attaches to a part of a case during use create tension in the tether. The tension pulls an electrical harness in a direction of an attachment point of the tether. The nonconductive plug body covers the set of pin connection slots and the tether pulls the electrical harness away from a base member.