Outlet Safety Plug Assembly With Retained Connector Arm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unused electrical outlets often lack a reliable mechanism to ensure safety plugs are reinstalled after use, leading to potential electric shock hazards due to misplaced or forgotten safety plugs.
Innovation Solution
A safety plug assembly that secures safety plugs to the electrical outlet via a connector and arm system, allowing them to remain coupled even when not inserted, preventing misplacement and facilitating easy reinstallation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If safety plugs are left loose in electrical outlets, then they can be easily accessed and removed when needed, but they are likely to be misplaced or forgotten after use
Solution Approach 1:
A connector assembly acts as an intermediary between the safety plug and the electrical outlet. The connector includes a receptacle that receives the outlet connector and an arm that holds the safety plug, mediating the interaction between the plug and outlet to prevent misplacement while allowing easy access.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety plug system is segmented into separate functional components: a safety plug member, a connector with receptacle and arm, and the electrical outlet. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while working together as a system, improving both accessibility and reinstallation reliability.
2Reliability
If safety plugs are secured to the electrical outlet, then they cannot be misplaced or forgotten, but they become difficult to remove when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The connector arm is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to flex and adjust during insertion and removal operations. This dynamic design enables the arm to hold the safety plug securely during use while allowing easy removal when needed, resolving the contradiction between retention reliability and ease of operation.
3Reliability
If a connector system is added to secure safety plugs, then misplacement is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector integrates multiple functions into a single assembly: the receptacle receives the outlet connector, the arm holds the safety plug, and the movable arm provides both retention and ease of removal. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A safety plug assembly includes a connector configured to be inserted behind a front plate of an electrical outlet. The connector comprises a first body member including a central axis, a first side, and a second side radially opposite the first side with respect to the central axis. The first body member includes a ramped surface that extends from the first side to an abutment surface. A thickness of the first body member tapers when moving along the ramped surface from the abutment surface toward the first side. In addition, the safety plug assembly includes a safety plug coupled to the connector. The safety plug comprises a plug member that is configured to be inserted within a contact opening of the electrical outlet.