Power supply socket with vibration touch keys
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supply sockets for electric kettles, coffee pots, and other appliances face issues with water accumulation, dust ingress, and mechanical failures due to aging silica gel seals, leading to potential electrical hazards and reduced service life.
Innovation Solution
A power supply socket with vibration touch keys is designed, featuring a vibration motor for tactile feedback, a sealing ring system to prevent water and dust ingress, and an LED light guiding mechanism, all integrated into a robust structural design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical key structure with elastic silica gel sheet is used, then switching function is achieved, but water accumulates between key and silica gel sheet causing aging and potential electric leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic gap space between the key and face shell by designing the key to be tightly fitted within the face shell structure, eliminating the cavity where water could accumulate. The key is integrated into the face shell with precise positioning features that prevent gap formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the elastic silica gel sheet with a flexible waterproof membrane that maintains sealing function while preventing water accumulation. This thin film structure conforms to the key surface and provides continuous waterproof protection without creating trapped water spaces.
2Ease of operation
If mechanical key structure with gap between key and face shell is used, then key operation is enabled, but foreign matters block and stick in the gap reducing service life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the key structure into multiple components with precise interfaces, including positioning ribs and grooves that create tight fits without gaps. The face shell is also segmented with corresponding features that accommodate the key while eliminating continuous gap spaces where foreign matter could accumulate.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of designing a key that operates within a gap, the patent inverts the approach by designing a tight-fit key structure where the key and face shell interfaces are precisely mated. The operation mechanism is achieved through this tight interface rather than through a gap, reversing the conventional design paradigm.
3Ease of manufacture
If film pasting technology is used for key guide sign, then signage is achieved, but edges are easy to be embossed and warped with poor position and light leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the signage function with the structural components of the face shell by integrating LED light guides and signage elements directly into the molded face shell structure. This eliminates separate film pasting operations and achieves precise edge quality through injection molding technology.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical film pasting system with an integrated optical-molding system. LED light guides are embedded during the injection molding process, eliminating the need for separate film application and achieving superior precision through automated molding processes.
4Strength
If IMD in-mold injection molding technology is used, then surface wear-resistant and chemical-resistant characteristics are improved, but mold cost and unit price cost are very high with restrictions on structural modeling design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality enhancement by using injection molding only for specific high-wear components like the face shell and key, rather than entire IMD processing. This provides localized durability where needed while keeping overall manufacturing complexity and cost manageable through selective application of advanced molding techniques.
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 provides a power supply socket with enhanced waterproof, dustproof, and LED light guiding capabilities, along with vibration feedback, thereby improving user experience and extending the socket's service life while ensuring safety.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration motor is installed in the vibration motor installing groove, the vibration surface of the vibration motor is in close contact with the bottom plane of the vibration motor installing groove
Implementation Method 2
a sealing ring system to prevent water and dust ingress
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a power supply socket with vibration touch keys, and relates to a touch power supply socket used on an electric kettle and a coffee pot. The power supply socket comprises a face shell, a bottom cover, a lower connector, a control circuit board and a power cord, wherein the inner side of the face shell is provided with a vibration motor installing groove, a vibration motor is installed in the vibration motor installing groove, the vibration surface of the vibration motor is in close contact with the bottom plane of the vibration motor installing groove, the vibration motor is electrically connected with the control circuit board, and the vibration motor has synchronous vibration signal feedback when a finger touches a key. The key of the present disclosure has good waterproof, dustproof, LED light guiding and vibrating effects.