Power Socket Front Cover with Movable Dust-Blocking Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power sockets are vulnerable to dust and other elements entering through access openings, which can lead to electrical shocks and mechanical issues, and existing solutions do not adequately prevent dust ingress.
Innovation Solution
A front cover device with a mobile disc-shaped plate and elastic deformable closure walls, integrated with a safe system, is fixed to the power socket housing, providing enhanced protection by closing access holes when not in use and allowing easy plug insertion with elastic return mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If access holes are provided in the front cover for plug insertion, then plug connectivity is enabled, but dust and foreign elements can enter the power socket
Solution Approach 1:
The front cover incorporates a movable plate that can shift between blocking and open positions. When a plug is inserted, the plate moves to allow access; when no plug is present, it moves to block the holes and prevent dust entry. This dynamic mechanism resolves the contradiction by making the cover state-dependent rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
A movable blocking plate is introduced as an intermediary element between the front cover and the internal components. This plate acts as a mediator that selectively allows or prevents access to the access holes based on whether a plug is present, thereby preventing dust ingress while maintaining plug connectivity capability.
2Reliability
If a movable flap with access holes is used to allow plug contact, then electrical connection is enabled, but protection against dust and foreign objects is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking plate is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically respond to plug insertion. The plate moves to a retracted position when a plug is inserted to enable electrical connection, and moves to a blocking position when no plug is present to prevent dust and foreign object entry, thus resolving the reliability-protection contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking plate is positioned in advance to block the access holes before any plug insertion occurs. This preliminary blocking action prevents dust and foreign elements from entering the power socket. When a plug needs to be inserted, the plate moves out of the way, allowing both electrical connection and subsequent blocking when the plug is removed.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the front cover is made stationary with closed holes, then dust protection is maximized, but plug insertion becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The front cover incorporates a movable blocking plate that can shift between blocking and open positions. When a plug is inserted, the plate moves to allow access; when no plug is present, it moves to block the holes and prevent dust entry. This dynamic mechanism resolves the contradiction by making the cover state-dependent rather than static.
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 solution effectively prevents dust and other elements from entering the power socket while maintaining ease of plug insertion and providing aesthetic integration with the power socket design.
Implementation Method 1
elastic means (4) able to exert a return force toward the front side of the cover (1), i.e. a return force able to maintain the mobile element (2) in the front position when the plug (3) is removed from the cover (1)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
This invention relates to a front cover device for power socket, comprising a terminal socket (5), said front cover device comprising a cover (1) provided to be mounted on said terminal socket, a mobile element (2) mounted movable in translation in the cover and having at least two front access holes (20, 21) for the pins of a plug and elastic means (4) able to exert a return force on the mobile element. The mobile element further comprises a closure system, each said front access hole being at least substantially closed or covered by the closure system able to be crossed, through elastic deformation, by the pins and to elastically return toward its original form of closing after their removal. It also relates to a power socket equipped with such a front cover device.