Retractable Socket Cover for Compact Plug Pin Accommodation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The size limitation of socket devices, particularly in terms of height, hinders their portability due to the need for accommodating plug device pins, making them bulky and inconvenient to carry.
Innovation Solution
A socket device with a movable cover that transitions between a use position and a stowed position, utilizing a drive assembly to accommodate plug device pins when inserted and retract when removed, reducing the overall dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the socket device provides a fixed accommodation space for plug device pins, then the pins can be accommodated reliably, but the device height cannot be reduced below approximately 24.5 mm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the cover movable between a stowed position (reducing height) and a use position (providing pin accommodation). The cover transitions from a fixed static structure to a dynamic movable structure that adapts its position based on operational requirements, resolving the contradiction between compact storage and functional use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes dimensional change by allowing the cover to move along the height dimension (vertical direction). When in the stowed position, the cover is retracted to minimize device height. When in the use position, the cover extends to provide the necessary accommodation space for pins, effectively using vertical displacement to resolve the height contradiction.
2Length of moving object
If the socket device maintains a compact size for portability, then it is easier to carry, but it cannot provide sufficient accommodation space for plug device pins
Solution Approach 1:
The movable cover creates a dynamic volume that expands when needed and contracts when not in use. The cover moves from a retracted state (minimal volume) to an extended state (sufficient accommodation volume), allowing the device to maintain compact dimensions for portability while providing adequate space for pins during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover structure is designed to nest within or against the housing when in the stowed position, minimizing the overall device thickness. When activated, the cover unfolds or extends outward to create the accommodation chamber, effectively nesting the functional space within the compact form factor.
3Reliability
If the socket device uses a movable cover that extends above the housing, then pin accommodation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the drive assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The drive assembly is designed to be automatically actuated by the insertion or removal of the plug device itself. The physical action of inserting the plug triggers the cover to move to the use position, and removing the plug triggers the cover to return to the stowed position. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for separate control systems, buttons, or complex actuation mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback through the mechanical interaction between the plug device and the drive assembly. The insertion force of the plug provides feedback that automatically actuates the cover movement, creating a closed-loop system where the operational state (plug inserted or removed) directly controls the cover position without requiring external control signals.
Data Source
AI summary
A socket device (e.g., a charging device) comprising a housing and a movable cover coupled to the housing and being movable relative to the housing between a use position and a stowed position. The housing may comprise a movable assembly and a transfer structure. The movable cover in the use position may project above, at least partially, an outer surface of the housing. The housing may comprise a transfer structure. The transfer structure may have an axis and may be configured to rotate about the axis. The movable assembly may be configured to, in response to the insertion of the plug device, cause rotation of the transfer structure to move the movable cover from the stowed position to the use position.