Plug and Receptacle Assembly with Segmented Insulators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical plug and receptacle assemblies face challenges in safely and efficiently repairing or replacing degraded insulators, accessing electrical contacts without interior housing access, and securely fastening receptacles to power generation devices without downtime, due to complex disassembly requirements and biased covers that hinder usability.
Innovation Solution
The design features separable insulator halves in both plugs and receptacles, allowing for replacement of exterior halves without dissembling the entire assembly, and a rotatable cover with automatic biasing for easy access, along with a mounting system that secures the receptacle externally, eliminating the need for interior access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If conventional electrical insulators are used that are coupled to electrical contacts, then the insulator provides electrical isolation, but repair or replacement requires complete disassembly and reassembly of the plug and receptacle
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical insulator is divided into two separable halves that can be independently removed and replaced. The exterior half can be accessed and replaced without removing the interior half, allowing partial replacement of degraded insulators without complete disassembly of the electrical assembly.
2Ease of operation
If a pivoting cover without open bias is used, then the cover can be manually opened, but the user must use at least one hand to open it, which is cumbersome when both hands are needed to handle the plug
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is equipped with an open bias mechanism that automatically moves the cover from the closed position to the open position without requiring manual intervention. This self-actuating feature allows the cover to open automatically when the plug is inserted, freeing both hands for handling the plug without requiring one hand to manually open the cover.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a biased cover is used that tends to close, then the cover maintains closed position, but opening the cover becomes difficult due to the cover getting in the way of insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The cover incorporates an open bias mechanism that automatically opens the cover during plug insertion, eliminating the need for manual opening operations. The bias is designed to activate during the insertion process, ensuring the cover is in the correct position without requiring user intervention or creating obstruction during insertion.
4Strength
If mounting bolts extending into the housing with nuts inside the housing are used, then the receptacle is securely fastened, but access to the interior of the housing is required, which requires powering down the power generation device
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is reconfigured so that the nuts are positioned outside the housing rather than inside. The mounting bolts extend through the housing with the nuts accessible from the exterior, allowing the receptacle to be secured or removed without accessing the interior of the housing. This enables maintenance operations to proceed without powering down the power generation device.
Data Source
AI summary
According to some embodiments, an assembly includes at least one of a plug or a receptacle. The plug includes a first electrical insulator that isolates a plurality of first electrical contacts. The first electrical insulator includes two separable halves. The receptacle includes a second electrical insulator that isolates a plurality of second electrical contacts. The second electrical insulator may also include two separable halves. The plurality of first electrical contacts are engageable with the plurality of second electrical contacts to electrically couple the plug and receptacle.