Power Supply Guide Rail Geometry to Prevent Voltage Mismatch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical device systems face challenges in preventing erroneous attachment of power supply devices with different output voltages, especially when the types of power supply devices increase, as standardizing the attachment/detachment mechanism becomes difficult, leading to potential damage or improper functioning.
Innovation Solution
The system introduces a configuration with multiple power supply devices (low voltage, variable-voltage, and high voltage) that include specific erroneous attachment prevention sections to ensure correct attachment to corresponding device main bodies, using guide rails, ribs, and cutout sections to prevent mismatched voltage connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of power supply devices with different output voltages are attached to device main bodies, then the versatility and adaptability of the electrical device system is improved, but the risk of erroneous attachment and device damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric guide rail structures where the guide rails have different configurations for different voltage types (e.g., 18V vs 36V). The guide rails include positioning protrusions and grooves that are asymmetrically arranged, allowing only the correct voltage-type power supply to be attached to the corresponding device main body. This asymmetric design physically prevents erroneous attachment of incompatible power supplies while maintaining versatility across multiple voltage types.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rails serve as an intermediary mechanism between the power supply device and the device main body. These guide rails include voltage identification features and positioning structures that mediate the attachment process, ensuring that only compatible power supplies can be correctly attached. The intermediary guide rail structure translates the voltage type information into physical compatibility, preventing mismatched connections.
2Ease of operation
If standardized attachment/detachment mechanisms are used across different device types, then the ease of operation and manufacturing is improved, but the ability to prevent erroneous attachment of different voltage types deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by incorporating voltage-specific identification features and guide rail configurations at specific locations within the otherwise standardized attachment mechanism. While the overall attachment structure remains standardized for ease of operation, localized modifications such as voltage-specific guide rail profiles, positioning protrusions, and electrical contact arrangements ensure that only the correct voltage type can be attached. This allows standardization benefits to be maintained while preventing erroneous attachments.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rails perform preliminary voltage identification and compatibility verification before the actual power connection is established. The mechanical guide structures with voltage-specific geometries pre-validate the compatibility between power supply and device main body, allowing users to attach power supplies with confidence without complex electrical testing. This preliminary mechanical verification maintains ease of operation while ensuring reliability.
3Measurement precision
If guide rails with voltage identification features are implemented, then the precision of voltage type identification is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses geometric copying of voltage identification features across different voltage types. Each voltage type (18V, 36V, etc.) has a unique guide rail configuration that is a variation of a base design, with specific dimensional variations in protrusions, grooves, or spacing. This copying approach with systematic variations achieves high identification precision while maintaining manufacturing efficiency and controlling complexity through design standardization.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rails utilize parameter changes in their geometric dimensions and configurations to encode voltage type information. By systematically varying parameters such as the number, position, and dimensions of guide rail protrusions and grooves based on voltage type, the system achieves precise voltage identification. This parameter-based differentiation maintains relatively simple structures that can be manufactured efficiently while providing accurate voltage type recognition.
Data Source
AI summary
The electrical device comprises a common device main body having selectively and detachably attached thereto either a variable-voltage power supply device or a high-voltage power supply device. The device main body has: a protruding section that abuts a power supply-side main erroneous attachment prevention section provided in the variable-voltage power supply device and the high-voltage power supply device; a device-side main erroneous attachment prevention section that abuts the power supply-side main erroneous attachment prevention section provided in a low-voltage power supply device and prevents the low-voltage power supply device from abutting an attachment positioning section; and a device-side attachment permitting section that can be combined in a power supply-side auxiliary erroneous attachment prevention section provided in the high-voltage power supply device.