Retractable Shutter Socket with Rotating Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical sockets with retractable shutters do not adequately ensure safety by allowing access to electrical contacts unless a plug is properly inserted, potentially leading to accidental or unauthorized connections.
Innovation Solution
The socket design incorporates a shutter locking mechanism that remains closed unless the plug is in a position to make contact with the electrical contacts, utilizing a rotating shutter and a specific keying device to transform translational plug movement into rotational shutter movement, allowing access only when the plug is correctly aligned.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a retractable shutter is used to prevent accidental access to electrical contacts, then safety is improved, but the shutter may be opened prematurely before the plug is properly positioned, creating a risk of micro-cuts and voltage instability
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter is pre-positioned in a closed state before plug insertion. The keying device ensures that the shutter remains locked closed during the initial phase of plug insertion, only opening when the plug pins are guaranteed to be in the correct position. This preliminary locking action prevents premature opening that could cause micro-cuts or voltage instability.
Solution Approach 2:
A keying device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the plug and the shutter. This keying device translates the linear insertion motion of the plug into rotational motion of the shutter, and only when the plug is fully inserted does the keying device release to allow the shutter to open. This intermediary mechanism ensures safe operation by controlling the shutter opening sequence.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the shutter is locked to prevent premature opening, then safety against micro-cuts is improved, but the complexity of the locking mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is merged with the keying device that already performs the function of translating plug insertion into shutter rotation. By combining the locking mechanism with the existing keying device, the patent avoids adding a separate complex locking system while still achieving the safety function of preventing premature shutter opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The keying device serves multiple functions: it translates linear plug insertion into rotational shutter movement, it locks the shutter in the closed position during insertion, and it only releases the lock when the plug is properly positioned. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity by eliminating the need for separate locking and translation mechanisms.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the shutter remains closed until the plug is correctly positioned, then voltage stability is improved, but the time required for safe plug insertion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The keying device allows the plug insertion process to proceed rapidly through the critical phase where the shutter is locked closed. Once the plug pins pass through the shutter material and reach the correct position, the keying device quickly releases the shutter lock, allowing the shutter to open immediately. This skipping mechanism minimizes the time the shutter remains closed while ensuring voltage stability.
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
This design significantly enhances safety by ensuring access to electrical contacts is authorized only when the plug is correctly inserted, preventing accidental connections and maintaining the shutter in a closed position until the plug is in the optimal position, thus protecting against micro-cuts and ensuring voltage stability.
Implementation Method 1
a return means permanently urging the flap towards the high position
Implementation Method 2
a return means permanently urging the shutter towards the closed position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
The socket has a filler plate (350) displaced in a plane parallel to a plane formed by a movable protective flap to pass the plate from a closed position in which the plate covers pin passage holes (304) to prevent accessing of pins to electrical contacts, to an open position in which the plate authorizes the accessing of the pins. A locking unit is constituted of a spigot (356), a keyway section (357) and a groove (202), to lock the plate for preventing the plate from being passed from the closed position to the open position, and is activated when the flap is found in raised position. An independent claim is also included for a polarizing slot and electrical socket assembly comprising a base.