Outdoor Power Socket Recessed Protective Lid Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional outdoor power sockets lack waterproof features, leading to malfunctions when exposed to weather conditions for extended periods, necessitating frequent disassembly and reassembly for protection.
Innovation Solution
An outdoor power socket with a protective lid structure that includes a socket body, connection element, protective lid, pivotal axle, and torsion spring, allowing the lid to be flipped open for use and automatically closed to shield the socket from weather, using a combination of a front and rear case with recessed parts and fixation holes, and a cone for outdoor grounding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protective lid structure is added to the power socket, then weather protection and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective lid is merged with the connection element to form an integrated assembly. The lid and connection element are combined through pivotal holes and an axial rod, creating a unified structure that reduces the number of separate components while maintaining protective functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection element serves multiple functions: it connects the protective lid to the socket body, provides pivotal movement for the lid, and acts as a mounting structure. The axial rod simultaneously serves as a connection member and a pivot axis, demonstrating multi-functionality that reduces overall system complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the protective lid is made movable for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential improper closure
Solution Approach 1:
The torsion spring provides self-service by automatically restoring the protective lid to its closed position after use. The spring mechanism eliminates the need for manual closing actions, ensuring the lid returns to its protective state without requiring user intervention, thus maintaining both ease of operation and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The torsion spring provides mechanical feedback through its restoring force, which actively pushes the lid back to the closed position. This feedback mechanism ensures that the protective state is automatically reestablished after each opening operation, maintaining protection effectiveness while allowing easy access when needed.
3Reliability
If fixation holes and positioning parts are added for secure mounting, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning part with positioning hole is pre-configured on the connection element during manufacturing. This preliminary positioning feature guides the insertion and alignment of the connection element into the socket body, ensuring accurate mounting without requiring complex assembly procedures or additional adjustment steps.
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
Prevents malfunction due to weather exposure by allowing easy opening and automatic closure of the power socket, enhancing operational convenience and durability.
Implementation Method 1
a torsion spring, which is sleeve installed on the axial rod and includes two endpoints, in which one of the endpoints is fixed to the connection element and the other one is fixed onto the accommodation part of the protective lid such that the protective lid enables an auto-restoration feature
Data Source
AI summary
An outdoor power socket having protective lid structure is disclosed, comprising a socket body, a connection element including positioning pillars, a protective lid, a pivotal axle and a torsion spring. Herein the pivotal axle is used to combine the protective lid with the connection element, and the protective lid can be flipped over the connection element. Moreover, an electric power socket is installed on the front case of the socket body, and a combination part is set up on one side of the power socket. In this way, it is possible to combine the positioning pillar of the connection element into the positioning part of the front case of the socket body such that the fixation pillar on the connection element penetrates the fixation hole of the combination part thereby allowing the protective lid to cover or open the power socket.