Grounding Adapter Assembly for Two-Prong Socket Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Old two-prong power sockets lack grounding functionality, posing safety risks and limiting the usability of power supply adapters, which often lack universal applicability and reliable grounding testing.
Innovation Solution
A power supply adapter with a base plate, electrical connector assembly, support frame, circuit board, and shell body, featuring an adjustable ground connector assembly that grounds to two-prong sockets, along with a USB slot and a grounding test circuit for safety assurance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a two-prong to three-prong socket adapter is used without true grounding function, then the adapter can be plugged into two-prong sockets, but it provides sham grounding that misleads users and presents safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter enables the two-prong socket to provide grounding functionality by utilizing its own ground hole. The ground connector assembly with ground screw taps into the existing ground hole of the two-prong socket, allowing the socket to serve its own grounding purpose that was previously unavailable.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground connector assembly acts as an intermediary between the two-prong socket and the electrical appliance. It connects the appliance's ground pin to the socket's ground hole through the ground screw, mediating the grounding connection that would otherwise be impossible.
2Device complexity
If the grounding plate is fixed and cannot be adjusted, then the structure is simple, but it can only work with particular sockets and lacks universal applicability
Solution Approach 1:
The grounding plate is made adjustable rather than fixed. Users can change the position of the ground ring on the ground connector plate to adapt to different socket configurations, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one that can accommodate variations in socket design.
3Reliability
If the ground screw is designed to screw into the ground hole of two-prong sockets, then true grounding is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ground connector assembly is divided into separate components: ground connector plate, ground ring, and ground screw. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function and enables easy assembly and adjustment while achieving reliable grounding through the screw connection.
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply adapter includes a base plate, an electrical connector assembly disposed on the base plate, a support frame, a circuit board, and a shell body. The electrical connector assembly includes a hot connector assembly, a neutral connector assembly, and a ground connector assembly. When the adapter is plugged into a two-prong socket, the ground connector assembly is grounded to the two-prong socket. The support frame covers the electrical connector assembly and is affixed to the base plate. The circuit board is disposed on the support frame and electrically coupled to the electrical connector assembly. The shell body covers the support frame and circuit board and is affixed to the base plate. The power supply adapter can used with two-prong sockets that lack a ground slot, and provides grounding test function after being plugged into the two-prong socket, making it safe and convenient to use.