Electrical Outlet Cover Hinge with Segmented Pins
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional low profile electrical device enclosures with spring-loaded hinges face limitations in lid opening range and ease of assembly, and are vulnerable to unauthorized access due to removable hinge pins.
Innovation Solution
An electrical outlet cover assembly utilizing a torsional bias element with two pins, each with teeth, allowing the lid to open to at least 140° and featuring adjustable rotational phase and linear bias for enhanced security and assembly ease, with a lock aperture and countersinks to secure the pins when closed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring-loaded hinge is used to keep the lid closed, then the lid remains secure against wind and weather, but the lid opening angle is limited to 70°-135° due to the bulk of the hinge
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge system is segmented into two separate pins instead of a single bulkier spring-loaded hinge. This segmentation allows the first pin to provide rotational bias for keeping the lid closed, while the second pin extends the rotational range to at least 140°, effectively resolving the contradiction between lid security and opening angle.
2Length of moving object
If torsional springs are used to allow greater lid opening, then the lid can open further, but the assembly becomes very difficult and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive and difficult-to-assemble torsional springs with two simpler pins that are easier to manufacture and assemble. The first pin with rotational bias provides the necessary holding force, while the second pin enables greater opening angle, achieving both goals without the manufacturing complexity of torsional springs.
3Reliability
If a padlock is used to prevent unauthorized access, then the outlet is secured, but the hinge pin can still be easily removed to gain access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of the two pins by directly coupling them through a bias element. This integration makes the hinge system more robust and difficult to bypass, as removing one pin would affect the entire hinge mechanism, thereby enhancing security while maintaining ease of legitimate operation.
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 solution provides a robust and secure electrical outlet cover that opens wider than conventional designs without sacrificing assembly ease, and prevents unauthorized access by securing the pins within the lid skirt when closed.
Implementation Method 1
The lid is biased from the open position to the closed position by a rotational bias from a bias element directly coupled to both the first pin and the second pin
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical outlet cover assembly having a base and a lid is disclosed. The base comprises a first base hinge aperture, and the lid comprises a first lid hinge aperture. The lid is hingedly coupled to the base by at least a first pin. The first pin is rotatably coupled to one of the first lid hinge aperture and the first base hinge aperture, and rotationally fixed with respect to the other of the first lid hinge aperture and the first base hinge aperture. The lid is biased from an open position to a closed position by a rotational bias from a bias element that is mechanically engaged with an end of the first pin and with an anchor rotationally fixed with respect to one of the lid and the base. The first pin may include teeth and is rotationally fixed with respect to complementary teeth of a hinge aperture.