Pivotal Electrical Receptacle With Spring Return
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical receptacles lack the ability to pivot, which can lead to strain and damage when cables are inserted or removed, especially in tight spaces, and do not automatically return to a default position, potentially causing safety hazards and aesthetic issues.
Innovation Solution
A pivotal electrical receptacle with opposing ends, pivotally coupled to an electrical box via pivots and biased to return to a default position using springs, allowing 45-degree pivoting and automatic return, integrated with a seal and plate for secure cable management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional electrical receptacles are fixed in position, then installation is simple and structure is stable, but cable strain and damage occur during insertion and removal especially in tight spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle is transformed from a fixed structure to a movable one by introducing pivot joints at the outlet and coupler connections. This allows the receptacle to rotate dynamically, accommodating cable movement during insertion and removal operations, thereby reducing cable strain while maintaining reliable electrical connections
2Ease of operation
If the receptacle is made pivotable to reduce cable strain, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases due to additional pivots and biasers
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle is divided into separable components (outlet, couplers, pivots) that can move independently. This segmentation allows the pivot mechanism to be integrated at connection points without requiring a complete redesign of the entire receptacle structure, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity
3Reliability
If the receptacle automatically returns to default position using biasers, then safety and aesthetics improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The biaser mechanism enables the receptacle to automatically return to its default position without external intervention. This self-service function maintains safety and aesthetic appearance by ensuring the receptacle settles into a known, secure position after being moved during cable operations, while the biaser integrates seamlessly with the existing pivot structure
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 enables easy access and secure cable management, reduces strain on cables during insertion/removal, and ensures the receptacle automatically returns to a safe and aesthetically pleasing position, enhancing user safety and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
Each of a plurality of biasers 44 is operationally coupled to the respective opposing end 14 of the outlet 12 and the respective coupler 32. The biasers are configured such that pivoting of the outlet induces a force compelling the outlet to return to the default position.
Data Source
AI summary
A pivotal electrical receptacle allowing pivotal movement of plugs includes an outlet that has opposing ends. The outlet comprises a plurality of electrical sockets. A pair of couplers is configured to couple the outlet to an electrical box. Each of a pair of pivots is pivotally coupled to a respective opposing end of the outlet and a respective coupler. Each of a plurality of biasers is operationally coupled to the respective opposing end of the outlet and the respective coupler. The pivots are positioned such that the outlet is pivotable from a default positioned substantially parallel to a plane defined by the substrate in which the electrical box is mounted. The biasers are configured such that pivoting of the outlet induces a force compelling the outlet to return to the default position.