Electrical Plug Connector Switching Mechanism for Short-Circuit Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical connectors, such as USB connectors, are prone to short-circuiting when liquids are spilled onto them, especially when they are electrified, as the terminals and circuit boards can become damaged due to the connection with a power source.
Innovation Solution
An electrical plug connector with a switching mechanism that includes a transmission bar, a contact plate, and an elastic member, allowing the connector to switch between connection and disconnection states, preventing short-circuits by disconnecting the contact plate from the conductive plates when not in use and connecting them only when necessary, while also incorporating a stopping ring for waterproofing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the electrical plug connector is kept connected to the power source for convenience, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of short-circuiting when liquid is spilled increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic switching mechanism where the contact plate can move between connected and disconnected states. The transmission bar allows the connector to transition from a static connected state to a dynamic state where disconnection can occur automatically or manually, resolving the contradiction between maintaining connection convenience and preventing short-circuit risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact plate serves as an intermediary element between the conductive plates and the external connector. It mediates the electrical connection by being controllable to either contact or separate from the conductive plates, thus enabling safe disconnection when liquid spillage is detected while maintaining connection during normal operation.
2Productivity
If the contact plate is always connected to the conductive plates for power supply, then the productivity is improved, but the reliability decreases due to short-circuit vulnerability
Solution Approach 1:
The switching mechanism transforms the static electrical connection into a dynamic one. The contact plate can be positioned to connect with conductive plates during normal charging operations to maintain productivity, but can be moved away to disconnect and protect reliability when liquid contamination occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates preliminary protective measures by providing a disconnection capability before short-circuit damage can occur. The manual switch or automatic sensing mechanism allows for preemptive disconnection when liquid spillage is anticipated or detected, preventing reliability failures before they happen.
3Device complexity
If the connector structure is simplified without switching mechanism, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to prevent short-circuits is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is segmented into distinct functional components: the conductive plates for power transmission, the contact plate for controllable connection, and the transmission bar for actuation. This segmentation allows the addition of switching functionality without requiring a complete redesign of the entire connector structure, thus adding minimal complexity while enabling short-circuit protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact plate and transmission bar act as intermediary components that add switching capability. These intermediaries mediate between the power supply (conductive plates) and the external connector, enabling protection functionality with relatively simple additional elements rather than complex control systems.
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 short-circuiting when liquids are spilled on the electrified connector by maintaining a disconnection state unless actively connected, and provides effective waterproofing to prevent liquid ingress.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member, which is configured to exert an elastic force on the transmission bar so as to maintain the contact plate in a disconnected position from the conductive plates
Implementation Method 2
the stopping ring is disposed in the through hole of the circuit board and sleeves with the transmission bar so as to block water or liquid entering into the electrical plug connector through the through hole
Data Source
AI summary
A switching device of electrical plug connector includes a plug body, a circuit board and a switching member. The plug body includes a connecting shell and an inserting space. The circuit board is disposed at the plug body and connected to a plurality of conductive plates. The switching member is connected to the circuit board and includes a transmission bar, a contact plate and an elastic member. The transmission bar passes through the circuit board; one end of the transmission bar is disposed in the inserting space. The contact plate is disposed adjacent to the conductive plates and connected to another end of the transmission bar. The elastic member sleeves on the transmission bar. When an electrical receptacle connector inserts into the connecting shell, one end of the transmission bar is abutted to drive another end of the transmission bar moving, thereby connecting the contact plate with the conductive plates.