Folding Electrical Plug with Elastic Latch Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical plug devices lack mechanisms to securely maintain conductive blades in open or closed positions, leading to accidental movement and potential damage during storage or use.
Innovation Solution
The electrical plug device incorporates folding conductive members supported by rotatable support members, coupled with an elastic member that engages the support members to maintain the blades in either position, providing a secure click mechanism to prevent inadvertent movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If folding conductive members are implemented to reduce storage space and thickness, then the device becomes more compact and portable, but the conductive members become susceptible to accidental movement and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The support members are designed to rotate about axes to enable the conductive members to move between folded and extended positions dynamically, while the elastic member provides automatic engagement to maintain stability in each position without requiring complex locking mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member automatically engages with the support members to maintain the conductive members in their folded or extended positions without user intervention, providing self-latching functionality that prevents accidental movement while keeping the structure simple
2Reliability
If an elastic member engagement mechanism is added to maintain blade positions, then blade stability and prevention of accidental movement is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member is extracted as a separate, simple component that can be independently designed and manufactured, allowing the complex function of position maintenance to be achieved through a single, straightforward elastic element rather than integrating it into the main structure
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member utilizes changes in its physical state (elastic deformation) to provide the latching function, transforming a simple material property into a functional mechanism that maintains blade positions without adding mechanical complexity
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 effectively prevents accidental movement of conductive blades, reducing the likelihood of damage and ensuring proper alignment during use, while allowing easy transition between open and closed positions with minimal force.
Implementation Method 1
the elastic member elastically deforms in response to the applied torque. The elastic deformation is sufficiently great to allow the elastic member to bend and thereby release the one or more support members from engagement
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
An electrical plug device includes a housing, support members coupled to the housing and electrically conductive members, each supported by one of the support members. The support members are able to rotate about respective axes so that the electrically conductive members can move between a closed position with the electrically conductive members folded into a trough in the housing and an open position with the electrically conductive members extended out of the housing. An elastic member is coupled to the housing to engage one or more of the support members when the electrically conductive members are in the open position or the closed position. Rotation of the support members from the open or closed positions is inhibited by the engagement of the elastic member and the one or more support members.