Rotatable Cap Socket for One-Handed Plug Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sockets require users to hold the socket with one hand and remove the plug with the other, making it difficult to unplug with only one hand due to the clamping force provided by conductive clips.
Innovation Solution
A modified socket design featuring a rotatable cap and resilient electrical clips that allow for one-handed plug removal, where the rotatable cap functions as a switch to control electrical connection and disconnection by rotating between an inserting and power-on position, utilizing conductive metal components for secure clamping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conductive clips provide clamping force to hold the plug in the socket, then electrical connection and plug retention are improved, but ease of operation for removing the plug deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical clips are designed with movable jaws that can dynamically change their clamping state. During insertion, the clips automatically close to clamp the pins firmly. During removal, the clips can open to release the pins, allowing one-handed operation. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between maintaining secure connection and enabling easy removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The socket structure is designed so that the movable jaws are pre-positioned to automatically engage with the plug pins upon insertion. The resilient means is pre-loaded to provide immediate clamping force when the plug is inserted, eliminating the need for manual activation while ensuring secure connection.
2Ease of operation
If the socket structure is simplified for one-handed operation, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable cap integrates multiple functions: it serves as the operating interface for one-handed plug removal, acts as a switch to control electrical connection, and provides structural support for the electrical clips. By combining these functions into a single component, the overall device complexity is minimized while achieving the desired ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable cap is designed as a multi-functional element that performs switching, mechanical operation, and structural support functions. This universal component approach reduces the total number of separate parts needed, balancing ease of operation with acceptable device complexity.
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
Enables plug removal with one hand, ensures the plug is only powered on when the cap is in the power-on position and off when in the inserting position, and uses conductive metal components that are not prone to melting, enhancing user convenience and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The resilient means is adapted for accumulating resilient force when the movable jaws are moved toward their corresponding accumulating positions, respectively, and for releasing the resilient force to move the movable jaws back to their corresponding home positions, respectively
Data Source
AI summary
A modified socket for a plug having two pins to plug therein includes a casing, a rotatable cap, two pairs of electrical clips and a resilient means. The rotatable cap is rotatable between an inserting position and a power-on position. Each pair of electrical clips is disposed in the casing and has a fixed jaw and a movable jaw. The movable jaw is movable between a home position and an accumulating position. The resilient means is adapted for accumulating resilient force when the movable jaws are moved toward the accumulating positions and for releasing the resilient force to move the movable jaws to the home positions. During the rotation of the rotatable cap from the inserting position to the power-on position, the resilient means will accumulate the resilient force and then release it. The movable jaws will then contact and electrically connect to the pins.