Mains Plug Pulling Aid Plate for Socket Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elderly individuals and those with hand-related illnesses or injuries face difficulty in removing mains plugs from sockets due to reduced strength, and existing solutions are either costly, limited to specific sockets, or require complex installation.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece plate mains plug pulling aid device with through-holes for contact pins, designed to fit between the socket and plug, reducing the force required for removal by shortening the insertion path and featuring adhesive strips for easy attachment to sockets or plugs, made from non-conductive materials for safety and aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a service socket with an ejection mechanism is used, then the mains plug can be easily ejected, but additional installation costs and electrician consultation are required
Solution Approach 1:
A plate is introduced as an intermediary component between the mains plug and socket. This plate has through-holes for the contact pins and creates a mechanical lever arm that reduces the force needed for extraction. The plate acts as a mediator that transforms the user's pulling action into effective force on the plug contacts without requiring complex socket modifications
Solution Approach 2:
The solution separates the plug extraction function from the socket structure itself. Instead of modifying the entire socket system, the plate divides the interaction into distinct functional zones: the plate handles the mechanical leverage and force reduction, while the socket maintains its original contact function. This segmentation allows simple attachment to the plug without complex integration
2Ease of operation
If a rubber sleeve pulling aid is used, then the plug can be gripped better, but complicated attachment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping function is extracted from the plug body and implemented separately through the plate. Instead of modifying the plug's gripping surfaces or adding complex attachment mechanisms like rubber sleeves, the plate provides an external gripping surface and mechanical advantage structure that can be simply attached to the plug's existing structure
Solution Approach 2:
The plate serves as an intermediary that provides both the gripping surface and the mechanical leverage. Rather than directly gripping the plug (which would require complex attachment), the plate mediates between the user's hand and the plug, providing a larger grip surface and force multiplication through its structure
3Ease of operation
If socket adapters with ejection aid are used, then the plug can be pulled out more easily, but electrician installation and additional costs are required
Solution Approach 1:
The plate acts as a portable intermediary device that can be attached to any standard mains plug without requiring socket modifications. Unlike socket adapters that require installation in the wall, this plate travels with the plug and provides the same mechanical advantage function in a plug-attached form factor
Solution Approach 2:
The plate design is universal and can be attached to any standard mains plug regardless of the socket type. The through-holes accommodate standard contact pin arrangements, and the plate's external dimensions are compatible with various plug shapes, making it a multi-functional solution that works across different electrical configurations
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 device significantly reduces the effort needed to pull out plugs by minimizing friction and allowing permanent installation, enhancing accessibility and usability for those with reduced strength without increasing costs or complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The plate is provided on one side with one or more double-sided adhesive strips, one side of the adhesive strip(s) being glued to the plate and the other side of the adhesive strip(s) being provided with a peel-off strip
Implementation Method 2
the contact pins of the power plug taper regularly towards the tip, which reduces the frictional forces between the contact pins and the contact elements of the socket
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a mains plug pull-out device (36) for facilitating the removal of a mains plug (10) from a socket (16), wherein the mains plug pull-out device (36) is designed as a one-piece plate (24; 38) with two spaced-apart through-holes (26; 40) for the passage of contact pins (14) of the mains plug (10) and a plate thickness of 2 to 5 mm, preferably 2.5 to 3.5 mm, wherein the contour of the plate (24; 38) in a top view is selected such that the plate (24; 38) is to be arranged between the base (28) of the socket (16) and the mains plug (10) to be inserted into the socket (16). The invention further relates to a mains plug (10) with such a mains plug pull-out device (36).