Flexible Plug Safety Boot for Shock Protection in Power Bars

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical safety devices for protecting against shock hazards are either not universally adaptable to standard plugs, require special installations, or have design flaws that lead to increased manufacturing costs and reduced usability, such as the inability to be used in power bars due to inflexibility or the need for specially adapted receptacles and plugs.

Innovation Solution

A flexible, insulating safety boot made of silicone rubber or similar materials that can be retrofitted to standard electrical plugs, featuring a curved design with flexible flaps or a hood that mechanically binds to the plug, blocking finger contact with live prongs and adhering with adhesive, allowing for universal adaptability and low-cost manufacturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a protective disc is made larger to provide adequate protection, then safety protection is improved, but the plug cannot be used close together in a power bar

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against shock hazardVSAvoidsize of protective disc

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The protective disc is made flexible rather than rigid, allowing it to deform and adapt to different plug configurations and spacing requirements while maintaining its protective function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A flexible protective disc made of elastomeric material is used instead of a rigid disc, enabling it to provide adequate protection while being thin enough to allow close placement of plugs in power bars

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a spring-loaded prong covering member is used to automatically cover prongs when partially inserted, then safety protection is improved, but the construction involves a number of parts which increases manufacturing cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against shock hazardVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The complex spring-loaded mechanism is removed entirely, replacing it with a simple flexible protective disc that provides automatic protection through its material properties rather than mechanical complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective function is achieved by changing the physical parameters of the disc (flexibility, thickness, material properties) rather than using multiple mechanical parts, simplifying manufacturing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If hoods are employed to block fingers from contacting live electrical prongs, then safety protection is improved, but specially adapted plugs are required which are not universally adaptable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against shock hazardVSAvoiduniversal adaptability to existing plugs

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible protective disc is designed to be universally compatible with standard electrical plugs by adhering to the plug body and extending to cover prongs, providing protection without requiring specially adapted plugs or receptacles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Stability of the object's composition

If offset slots are used to twist plug electrical prongs providing tighter grip, then connection stability is improved, but repeated use will permanently bend and loosen contacts inside the outlet

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrip tightnessVSAvoidcontact integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible protective disc absorbs mechanical stress and deformation that would otherwise be transferred to the electrical contacts, protecting the outlet contacts from permanent bending and loosening while maintaining connection stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

Effectively protects individuals from electrical shock by blocking finger contact with live prongs on standard plugs without requiring special installations, maintaining functionality in power bars and offering a cost-effective solution with universal compatibility.

Implementation Method 1

adhering with adhesive

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesive: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS11848511B2Electrical plug safety boot

Publication Date: 2023.12.19 JARVIS ADRIAN MATHEW

AI summary

This electrical plug safety boot is used to protect children and other household occupants from electrical shocks while inserting or removing the plug from an electrical receptacle or in case a child tries to touch the prongs of the plug while the plug is half way out intentionally or accidentally. A unique aspect of the present invention is that this safety boot conveniently fastens to any existing electrical plug with or without a ground prong and does not have to be manufactured with the electrical plug. The invention is an elastically collapsible electrically insulating boot which mounts around the prongs and prevents fingers from touching them.