Power Adapter Plug Locking Mechanism with Rotational Elastic Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power adapters are inconvenient for replacing plugs due to the elastic component's tendency to disengage if not properly compressed, leading to unstable engagement between the main body and plug.
Innovation Solution
A power adapter design featuring a recess with a locating depression and an elastic component that engages under resilience action to securely lock the plug in place during assembly and allows easy disassembly by compressing elastically, preventing rotation and facilitating plug removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the elastic component is compressed to disengage the plug from the main body, then the plug can be removed, but if the user forgets to press the elastic component the engagement will be destroyed
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic component is pre-compressed during the plug insertion process itself. When the plug is inserted, it automatically compresses the elastic component, which then pushes the contacting portion into the locating depression to lock the plug in place. This preliminary action eliminates the need for separate compression steps during both assembly and disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism uses dynamic rotation of the plug relative to the main body to control engagement and disengagement. Rotating the plug in one direction compresses the elastic component and engages the locating depression, while rotating in the opposite direction releases the lock. This dynamic mechanical interaction provides reliable operation without requiring the user to remember additional steps.
2Reliability
If the elastic component is always compressed to maintain engagement, then the plug is securely fixed, but the plug cannot be easily removed
Solution Approach 1:
The plug fixation mechanism is designed to be dynamically controllable through simple rotation. The elastic component maintains continuous compression to hold the plug securely during normal use, but when the user rotates the plug in the release direction, the contacting portion disengages from the locating depression, allowing easy removal. This dynamic design resolves the contradiction between secure fixation and ease of removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism prepares for easy removal by designing the contacting portion and locating depression geometry such that a small rotational movement in the opposite direction automatically releases the lock. The elastic component's resilience ensures that once the rotational force is applied, the plug can be quickly removed without requiring significant force, thus providing preliminary anti-action against difficult removal.
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 design enhances convenience in assembling and disassembling the power adapter while ensuring a secure engagement between the main body and plug, preventing accidental disengagement during plug replacement.
Implementation Method 1
An elastic component mounted in the plug defines a contacting portion elastically protruding out of a bottom of the plug
Implementation Method 2
the contacting portion is pressed against the bottom surface of the recess and compressed back elastically
Implementation Method 3
the contacting portion engages the locating depression under resilience action of the elastic component
Data Source
AI summary
A power adapter has a main body. A top of the main body defines a recess and an annular sidewall enclosing the recess. The recess has a locating depression arranged at a bottom thereof to be deviated from the center of the bottom. A plug is rotatably and detachably mounted in the recess. An elastic component mounted in the plug defines a contacting portion elastically protruding out of a bottom of the plug. The plug is locked in the recess by rotation so that the contacting portion is pressed against the bottom surface of the recess and compressed back elastically and then the contacting portion engages the locating depression under resilience action of the elastic component for preventing the plug from rotating with respect to the main body.