Neutral Pin Expansion in Plugs to Limit Leakage Current

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing plugs do not effectively limit leakage current, posing a risk of electric shock to users, particularly when submerged in water.

Innovation Solution

A plug design that expands the area of the neutral line plug pin using a neutral line plug pin area expansion unit, which is either a metal body with an eccentric or open surface, to redirect leakage current away from the user, minimizing the risk of electric shock.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the neutral line plug pin area is expanded using a metal body with eccentric or open surface, then leakage current is limited, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleakage current limitationVSAvoidplug structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The plug is divided into functional segments: the neutral line plug pin and the neutral line plug pin area expansion unit are separate components that work together. The expansion unit is a distinct metal body with eccentric or open surface that attaches to or surrounds the neutral line plug pin, creating a segmented structure that limits leakage current while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the neutral line plug pin area is expanded, then leakage current is redirected away from user, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectric shock riskVSAvoidplug manufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cross-sectional area of the neutral line plug pin is changed by adding the expansion unit, which has an eccentric or open surface geometry. This parameter change increases the effective area of the neutral line plug pin, redirecting leakage current away from the user's body and reducing electric shock risk, while the expansion unit's simple geometric forms maintain ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The expanded neutral line plug pin effectively limits leakage current, reducing the risk of electric shock by ensuring the current flows through the neutral line rather than the user's body, even in wet conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a neutral line plug pin area expansion unit that is in electrical contact with the neutral line plug pin to expand an area of the neutral line plug pin so as to limit a leakage current

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical contact: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS12573779B2Plug having leakage current limiting function

Publication Date: 2026.03.10 VISION TECH CORP

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a plug having a leakage current limiting function, in which a current leaked from a phase voltage line (R line or T line or S line) plug pin of the plug may be limited by expanding an area of a neutral line (N line) plug pin of the plug of an electronic device, and thus the risk of electric shock to a human body due to the leakage current can be minimized.