Magnetic Socket Connector with Movable Contacts for Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical sockets with magnetic positioning and holding mechanisms face issues with precise alignment and safety, as the visible electrical tracks can be energized even when the plug is removed, posing a risk of electric shock and violating safety standards.
Innovation Solution
The electrical socket design incorporates movable electrical contacts that can move between positions inside and outside the base, with magnetic and elastic control forces to ensure secure connection and disconnection, and annular magnetic elements for precise positioning, along with shutter mechanisms and contact pressure springs for safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If electrical tracks are positioned inside deep and narrow grooves to prevent direct contact, then safety against electrocution is improved, but alignment precision and positioning accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection system is segmented into three distinct components: external electrical tracks on the plug, movable electrical contacts inside the base, and groove structures. This segmentation allows the tracks to be positioned in grooves for safety while the movable contacts ensure precise alignment through magnetic attraction, resolving the contradiction between safety and positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
Movable electrical contacts act as intermediaries between the external electrical tracks and the groove structures. These contacts can move to bridge the gap between the tracks and the groove, ensuring precise alignment while maintaining the protective groove structure, thus resolving the contradiction between safety and positioning precision.
2Ease of operation
If electrical tracks are made visible and accessible for connection, then ease of connection is improved, but safety against electrocution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical contacts are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically adjust their position. When the plug approaches, magnetic attraction moves the contacts outward for easy connection. When the plug is removed, spring force moves them inward for safety, resolving the contradiction between ease of connection and electrocution risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring force continuously acts on the movable electrical contacts to pull them inward toward a safe retracted position before the plug arrives. This preliminary anti-action ensures that the contacts are only exposed when necessary for connection, preventing electrocution while maintaining ease of connection when needed.
3Reliability
If magnetic control force is increased to improve positioning and holding strength, then connection reliability is improved, but difficulty in disconnection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic control force operates periodically rather than continuously at maximum strength. During insertion and holding, magnetic force is strong for reliable connection. During disconnection, when the plug is pulled away, the magnetic force naturally decreases, allowing easy separation. This periodic variation in magnetic force strength resolves the contradiction between connection reliability and ease of disconnection.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic force parameter changes based on the distance between the plug and base. When close together, magnetic attraction is strong for reliable connection and holding. When separated, magnetic force diminishes naturally, facilitating easy disconnection. This dynamic parameter change resolves the contradiction between strong holding and easy disconnection.
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
This design ensures a secure electrical connection while minimizing the risk of electric shock by ensuring the tracks are only energized when the plug is connected, and provides precise alignment and efficient disconnection, adhering to safety standards.
Implementation Method 1
magnetic control means generating a first control force to position and hold the plug on the base so that the annular tracks are respectively in contact with the electrical contacts of the base
Implementation Method 2
the base comprises elastic control means generating a second displacement force of lower intensity and in the direction opposite to the first control force, said second displacement force being capable of displacing the contacts electric between the second position and the first position
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
A set of outlets including a sheet and a base adapted for electrical work to each other in a detachable manner, the sheet including at least two electric tracks in a concentric ring configured to respectively cooperate with electrical contacts of an electrical socket. A magnetic mechanism generates a first control force for positioning and holding the sheet on the base. The base includes at least two movable electric contacts movable between a first position inside the base and a second position outside the base to be respectively in direct electrical contact with the electrical tracks, the first force control to move the electrical contacts between the first and the second positions.