Flush-Mounted Charging Disc With Movable Side Plates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical installation devices for storing and charging mobile audio and communication devices often protrude, posing safety hazards and risking damage, while also not seamlessly integrating with other installation devices like switches and sockets.

Innovation Solution

A central disk with a hinge-attached cover that can fold completely into a cover frame, featuring spring-loaded side plates that can be locked and unlocked for an enlarged support surface, allowing for flush mounting and safe, versatile integration with various installation devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If the support surface is enlarged to provide better storage for mobile devices, then the storage capacity and usability are improved, but the device protrudes more and creates safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport surface areaVSAvoidsafety hazards from protrusion
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The side plates are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to extend the support surface when needed and retract when not in use. This dynamic configuration enables the device to adapt between providing a large storage area and maintaining a flush, safe profile, directly resolving the contradiction between support surface area and safety hazards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The side plates are nested within the cover structure when retracted, allowing them to extend outward to enlarge the support surface and then return to a compact position within the device boundaries. This nesting mechanism enables the support surface to be enlarged on demand while preventing permanent protrusion that would create safety hazards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the cover is folded completely into the cover frame for flush mounting, then safety and integration are improved, but the support surface area is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinjury prevention from protrusionVSAvoidsupport surface area
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The side plates transition from a static extended structure to a dynamic movable component that can be extended only when needed. This allows the cover to maintain a flush-mounted, safe profile by default, while enabling temporary enlargement of the support surface through controlled extension of the side plates during device placement or removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the side plates are made movable to create enlarged support surface, then the storage versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage configuration flexibilityVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The side plates are designed with simple hinge joints and spring mechanisms that provide automatic extension and retraction functionality. This dynamic design achieves storage versatility through straightforward mechanical means, adding minimal complexity while enabling the support surface to adapt between compact and enlarged configurations as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The spring mechanisms automatically extend the side plates when the cover is opened and retract them when closed, eliminating the need for complex manual operation mechanisms. This self-service approach provides storage versatility through automatic adaptation, reducing the overall device complexity by minimizing user intervention requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

The solution ensures the device is almost completely flush-mounted, preventing injuries and damage, while enabling easy integration with other installation devices and providing an enlarged support surface for charging mobile devices, enhancing safety and usability.

Implementation Method 1

spring-loaded safety pins of the latching device engage in safety pockets of the side plates for locking/locking the side plates

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring mechanism: Spring

Implementation Method 2

a cover being attached to a base plate of the cover plate via a hinge joint

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHinge joint: Hinge

Data Source

PatentEP2523282B1Central disc of an electric installation device for depositing and electrically charging a mobile audio and communication device
Publication Date: 2019.02.27 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP2523282B1 patent drawingFigure 1~6
  • EP2523282B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP2523282B1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

A central disc of an electrical installation device for storing and electrically charging a mobile audio and communication device is proposed, wherein a cover (5) is attached to a base plate (2) of the central disc (1) via a hinge joint (4), and wherein a support surface for storing the mobile audio and communication device is enlarged by two side plates (17, 19) located on either side of the cover (5). Of particular importance is that the two side plates (17, 19) are transversely displaceable on the cover (5) via tongue and groove guides (21) and can be locked in two stable end positions with/without the enlarged support surface (17+5+19) by means of a locking device (6).