Plug Locking Mechanism with Impact-Responsive Unlatching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic apparatuses with plugs are prone to damage when the plug, in an extended state, is impacted by a force in the direction of retraction, as the locking mechanism fixes the plug's position, concentrating and amplifying the impact force.

Innovation Solution

A locking mechanism that automatically becomes ineffective upon impact in the direction of plug retraction, allowing the plug to slide back into the housing, thereby absorbing and distributing the impact force and preventing damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the locking structure locks the plug when it extends out of the port, then the plug position is fixed and stable, but the plug is easily damaged when impacted by a force in the retraction direction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplug position stabilityVSAvoidimpact damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism transitions from a static locked state to a dynamic unlocked state upon detecting impact force. The elastic component allows the locking structure to automatically disengage when subjected to impact in the retraction direction, converting the rigid locking system into an adaptive one that responds to external forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic component pre-stores energy to provide cushioning protection. When impact occurs, the elastic component absorbs the impact energy through deformation, preventing the force from being directly transmitted to the plug and causing damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If the locking structure uses a stop slot and stop portion to fix the plug, then the plug remains stationary during use, but the concentrated impact force damages the plug

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplug locking reliabilityVSAvoidplug resistance to impact
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the state parameter of the locking mechanism from locked to unlocked based on the applied force. The elastic component detects the impact force and triggers a parameter change in the locking structure, causing it to transition from a force-transmitting state to a force-absorbing state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic component acts as an intermediary between the impact force and the locking structure. It mediates the interaction by absorbing the impact energy and controlling the unlocking process, preventing direct transmission of the concentrated force to the plug.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the button and spring structure is used for locking, then the plug can be securely held, but the rigid structure transmits impact force directly to the plug

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplug locking controlVSAvoidimpact force transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The spring-loaded button structure transitions from a rigid locking position to a flexible unlocking position upon impact. The spring allows the button to move dynamically in response to impact forces, enabling the locking mechanism to adapt to external conditions while maintaining ease of manual operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The spring component is pre-loaded to provide cushioning capacity. When impact occurs, the spring compresses or extends to absorb the impact energy, preventing direct transmission of the force to the plug while maintaining the operational functionality of the button control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 mechanism effectively buffers impact forces, reducing the risk of plug damage by allowing it to retract into the housing, thus protecting the plug from impact-induced damage.

Implementation Method 1

a spring 17 is fixedly disposed between the end and the support 16. An elastic force direction of the spring 17 extends in a direction towards the sliding slot

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the locking mechanism automatically becomes ineffective when the plug is impacted by a force in a direction in which the plug retracts into the port... allowing the plug to slide back into the housing, thereby absorbing and distributing the impact force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact force absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS8500466B2Electronic apparatus with plug
Publication Date: 2013.08.06 HUAWEI DEVICE CO LTD
  • US8500466B2 patent drawing
  • US8500466B2 patent drawing
  • US8500466B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An electronic apparatus with a plug is provided, which relates to the field of electronic technologies, and solves a technical problem of the plug is easily damaged when the plug in a state of extending out of a port is impacted by a force in a direction in which the plug retracts into the port. The electronic apparatus with a plug includes a housing opened with a port, a plug passing through the port, and a circuit board located inside the housing and electrically connected to the plug, where a locking mechanism is disposed between the plug and the housing, the locking mechanism is configured to lock the plug when the plug is in a state of extending out of the port, and the locking mechanism automatically becomes ineffective when the plug is impacted by the force in the direction in which the plug retracts into the port.