Modular Power Receptacle With Interchangeable Interface Covers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power receptacles require different molds and production equipment for various products, leading to high production costs and complex warehouse management, as well as a need for skilled workers to change between models.
Innovation Solution
A modular power receptacle design featuring an upper cover, middle cover, and base assembly, where the middle cover includes multiple interfaces and the upper cover has matching interfaces for removability, allowing for flexible changes without altering the base assembly, and enabling user-driven changes without skilled labor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different molds and production equipment are used for different power receptacle products, then product variety can be achieved, but production cost increases and warehouse management becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The base assembly is designed as a universal component that can support multiple interface types (first-type, second-type, and third-type interfaces) through a single standardized structure. This allows different power receptacle products to be manufactured using the same base assembly, reducing the need for different molds and production equipment while maintaining product variety through configurable interface combinations.
Solution Approach 2:
The power receptacle is divided into modular components: a standardized base assembly and interchangeable interface modules. Each interface type can be independently configured and assembled onto the base assembly, allowing flexible product configuration without requiring complete redesign of the entire product for each variant.
2Manufacturing precision
If skilled workers are required to change from one model to another, then manufacturing precision can be maintained, but productivity decreases and operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interface modules are designed with dynamic, easily interchangeable connection mechanisms that allow workers to quickly swap between different interface types without requiring complex disassembly or specialized skills. The standardized base assembly accepts various interface modules through simple attachment procedures, enabling rapid model changes while maintaining assembly precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple interface types are integrated into a single receptacle, then versatility for users is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different interface types (first-type, second-type, and third-type interfaces) are segmented into separate, independently configurable modules that attach to a standardized base assembly. This modular approach allows multiple interface types to be integrated into a single receptacle while maintaining a clean, organized structure that avoids the complexity of trying to accommodate all interfaces in a monolithic design.
Data Source
AI summary
A power receptacle includes an upper cover, a middle cover, and a base assembly. The middle cover includes an interface group, the interface group including at least one first-type interface, and at least one second-type interface and/or at least one third-type interface. The upper cover includes a matching interface group, the matching interface group including matching interfaces that match at least some of the corresponding interfaces of the interface group. The upper cover and the middle cover are removably attached to each other. Because the base assembly does not need to be changed while the upper cover may be changed based on the user's need, the power receptacle has enhanced applicability, saves cost and can meet user's different needs. Because the upper cover can be changed by the user without requiring a skilled worker, the power receptacle is easy to use.