Flexible-Cover Power Outlet for Tamper-Resistant Terminal Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical power outlets in vehicles lack tamper resistance, posing a risk of contamination and damage from foreign objects and water ingress.
Innovation Solution
An electrical power outlet with a flexible cover having slits to accommodate prongs in an open position and cover the terminals in a closed position, coupled with a switch to activate power supply and a light source for connection indication, mounted on a circuit board with flexible material and slits for tamper resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the electrical outlet uses an open design for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but tamper resistance and protection against contaminants deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible cover made of elastomeric material that can deform elastically. The cover includes apertures that allow prong insertion while maintaining coverage over the electrical terminals. When force is applied during normal plug insertion, the cover deforms to accommodate the prongs; however, the elastic material returns to its original shape, continuously covering the terminals to prevent contaminant ingress and tampering.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible cover transitions from a static protective barrier to a dynamic component that responds to insertion forces. The cover's elastic properties allow it to dynamically adjust its shape during plug insertion and return to its protective configuration afterward, balancing accessibility with protection.
2Reliability
If the electrical outlet includes a flexible cover with slits for prong insertion, then tamper resistance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible cover serves as a single integrated component that combines multiple functions: it covers the electrical terminals to prevent tampering and contaminant ingress, provides apertures for prong insertion, and uses its elastic properties to enable plug insertion without requiring complex mechanical release mechanisms or multiple separate parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible cover performs multiple functions simultaneously: protection of electrical terminals, guidance of prong insertion through apertures, and dynamic response to insertion forces. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
3Productivity
If the electrical outlet provides continuous power supply, then productivity is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible cover is pre-configured with apertures in specific patterns that correspond to different plug configurations. This preliminary design allows the cover to automatically adapt to various plug types without requiring active control systems, sensors, or energy-consuming mechanisms to detect and respond to insertion events.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic material of the flexible cover automatically returns to its original shape after deformation during plug insertion, without requiring external energy input or active control systems. This self-recovering property eliminates the need for energy-consuming actuators or sensors, maintaining productivity while minimizing energy consumption.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Provides tamper-resistant protection against contaminants and unauthorized access while ensuring reliable electrical connections and status indication.
Implementation Method 1
the cover comprises a membrane of flexible material
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical power outlet includes a housing, a faceplate having a plurality of slots configured to receive a plurality of prongs on an electrical plug, a plurality of electrical terminals configured to receive the plurality of prongs to provide electrical connections and a flexible cover disposed between the plurality of slots and the plurality of terminals. The flexible cover having a plurality of slits configured to receive the plurality of prongs in an open position and for covering access to the plurality of terminals in a closed position.