Interchangeable Plug Power Supply With Secure Contact Interlock
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plug-in power supplies face issues with varying plug systems worldwide, requiring adapters that increase torque on sockets, lack safety due to single socket designs, and have inadequate waterproofing and secure electrical contact in interchangeable plug units.
Innovation Solution
A power supply design with interchangeable plug units featuring a housing, engaging base, locking mechanism, and metal contacts with interlock interactions, ensuring secure electrical connections and waterproofing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If plug adapters are used to accommodate different plug systems, then adaptability to different power sockets is improved, but the torque acting on the power socket increases in an inadmissible manner
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply is divided into two separate functional units: a power adapter unit with a standardized socket and interchangeable plug units with different plug shapes. This segmentation allows the plug shape to be changed without replacing the entire power supply, providing adaptability while keeping the power adapter unit close to the power socket.
Solution Approach 2:
The interchangeable plug unit acts as an intermediary between the power adapter unit and different power socket types. By replacing only the plug unit, users can adapt to different power socket standards without using traditional plug adapters that extend the distance and increase torque.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional plug adapter sockets are designed with multiple socket types, then adaptability is improved, but safety is reduced due to increased probability of accidental contact with powered pins
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the plug adaptation function into separate interchangeable plug units, each designed for a specific plug type. This eliminates the need for a single adapter socket that must accommodate multiple plug types, thereby reducing the exposed surface area and minimizing the risk of accidental contact with powered pins.
3Adaptability or versatility
If interchangeable plug units are added to power supply, then adaptability to different power sockets is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply is segmented into a main power adapter unit and separate interchangeable plug units. This allows the complex adaptation functionality to be distributed across multiple simple, standardized components rather than integrating all adaptation features into a single complex device.
Solution Approach 2:
The power adapter unit is designed with a universal standardized socket that can accept different interchangeable plug units. This universal interface simplifies the main unit's design while still providing multi-functionality through the interchangeable plugs.
4Reliability
If metal contacts with clamp clip and small bumps are used, then reliability of electrical contact is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The metal contacts are pre-formed with clamp clips and small bumps during manufacturing. These features are built into the contact structure beforehand, ensuring proper engagement with the plug pins without requiring complex assembly operations or high-precision adjustments during final assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply includes a power adapter unit and a plug unit. The power adapter unit includes a housing with an engaging base formed over bottom surface of the housing, a power conversion module installed in the housing, two electric contact pins in the engaging base electric connecting with the power conversion module, a locking member adjacent to the engaging base. The plug unit is slidably engaged with the engaging base including two plug pins and each of the plug pins electrically connected to a metal contact located at inner side of the plug unit, a locking matching member to interact with the locking member for allowing the plug unit lock or unlock from the engaging base. The plug unit is interchangeable with the power adapter unit. The metal contacts and the plug pins provide additional interlock interaction when the plug unit is slidably engaged with the power adapter unit.