Foldable Plug Pin Retention via Rotating Shaft and Fixing Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power converters with foldable plugs face complexities in assembly and lack secure positioning, leading to manufacturing inefficiencies and potential detachment issues.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device features a foldable plug with a rotating shaft and pins that are pivotally supported on a support member, utilizing a fixing plate and retaining parts to securely position the plug in either upright or folded positions, enhancing assembly ease and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional foldable plug with springs and sustaining elements is used, then the plug can be folded and stored, but the assembly configuration becomes complicated and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plug is divided into a plug body and separate pins that can rotate independently. The pins are detachably connected to the plug body through a simplified rotating shaft structure, allowing the pins to be folded against the plug body for compact storage while eliminating the need for complex spring and sustaining element assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex spring and sustaining element positioning mechanisms are extracted and replaced with a simpler rotating shaft structure. The retaining part is designed to engage with the rotating shaft in a straightforward manner, removing unnecessary intermediate components and simplifying the overall assembly configuration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional foldable plug with springs is used, then the plug can be positioned in concave portions, but the pins are easily detached from tenons due to insufficient securing
Solution Approach 1:
The plug structure transitions from a static fixed position to a dynamic rotatable connection. The pins are rotatably connected to the plug body through the rotating shaft, allowing the pins to rotate between an extended operational position and a folded storage position. The retaining part dynamically engages with the rotating shaft to secure the pins in the extended position while allowing controlled rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating shaft serves as an intermediary component between the pins and the plug body. It provides a secure rotatable connection that maintains pin retention while enabling folding motion. The retaining part engages with the rotating shaft to ensure reliable connection during both folded and extended states, preventing accidental detachment.
3Ease of manufacture
If pins are easily detached from tenons, then assembly is simpler, but the plug becomes insecure and prone to detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating shaft and retaining part are designed to automatically engage and secure the pins to the plug body through a self-locking mechanism. When the pins are inserted into the plug body, the rotating shaft and retaining part automatically engage to secure the connection without requiring additional assembly steps or external fastening operations, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while ensuring reliable connection.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a casing, a plug, a fixing plate, a circuit board and a first retaining part. The casing has a support member and multiple perforations. The plug has a rotating shaft and multiple pins. The pins are mounted on the rotating shaft. The rotating shaft is pivotally supported on the support member such that the pins are rotatable with respect to the rotating shaft. The pins are substantially perpendicular to the casing when the pins are rotated to a first position. The pins are received in the perforations when the pins are rotated to a second position. The fixing plate is disposed on the support member. The circuit board includes multiple contact elements corresponding to the pins. The first retaining part is engaged with or sustained against an engaging part of the rotating shaft, thereby positioning the pins of the plug in the first position.