Modular Electrical Plug Locking Mechanism for Secure Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical assemblies lack secure mounting mechanisms for specific electrical plugs, leading to potential disconnection and safety issues during use.
Innovation Solution
The proposed electrical assembly incorporates an electrical plug with hooking means in the form of one or two hooks that are designed to be inserted into a housing vacuum of a modular device, providing a secure locking mechanism for the plug onto the modular device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional electrical plug mounting without locking means is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of connection is worsened due to potential accidental disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into separate components: hooks integrated into the plug body and corresponding housing features in the modular device. This segmentation allows the locking function to be added without redesigning the entire assembly, maintaining simplicity while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The hooking means are designed to automatically engage with the housing features when the plug is inserted, providing self-locking functionality without requiring additional manual operations or complex actuating mechanisms. The connection secures itself through the geometric interaction of hooks and housing features.
2Stability of the object's composition
If hooking means are added to the electrical plug, then the stability of connection is improved, but the ease of manufacture is worsened due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The hooking means are merged into the insulating body of the plug as integrated features rather than separate components. This combining approach maintains connection stability while simplifying manufacturing by reducing the number of parts and assembly steps required.
Solution Approach 2:
The hooks serve multiple functions: they provide mechanical locking to prevent disconnection, guide the plug during insertion, and potentially indicate connection status. This multi-functionality justifies the added manufacturing complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single feature set.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If locking means with hooks are implemented, then the safety of electrical connection is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional structural elements
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is extracted as a distinct mechanism (hooks) separate from the electrical connection elements (pins). This extraction allows the safety function to be independently optimized and designed specifically for preventing disconnection without interfering with the electrical contact function.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of designing a complex locking mechanism that actively secures the plug, the design inverts the approach by creating hooks that passively engage with corresponding features in the housing. The safety function is achieved through the absence of engagement rather than active locking, simplifying the overall structure.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The assembly has an electric plug (100) with a locking unit (150) to lock an insulating body (110) of the plug on a parallelepiped insulating casing (480) of a modular electrical apparatus (400) e.g. differential circuit breaker. The unit has a movable part (152) including hooks (153) co-operating with grooves of empty housings (451A, 451B) of the apparatus and mounted slidably on a fixed part between released and hooking positions. The unit has a locking nail (155) mounted movably on the movable part between locked position and unlocked position in which the nail authorizes the sliding. The nail locks the movable part, in the hooking position, on the fixed part when the nail is in the locked position.