Rotatable Electric Connector with Linear Tracks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric connectors are rigid and require significant space around the wall socket for proper connection, limiting flexibility and usability.
Innovation Solution
A coaxially rotatable electric connector design featuring a plug with pins connected to round flat conductive tracks within a housing, allowing rotation and linear displacement while maintaining electrical contact, enabling flexible positioning without interfering with current transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional rigid electric connectors are used, then structural stability is maintained, but flexibility in positioning and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connector employs dynamic elements including a rotatable plug that can rotate coaxially within the housing, and wired contacts that are movable along linear tracks. This dynamic design allows the connector to adapt to different positioning requirements while maintaining electrical connection, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and structural stability
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is divided into separate functional components: a fixed housing with linear tracks, a rotatable plug with circular tracks, and movable wired contacts. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, enabling flexibility in positioning while maintaining overall structural integrity
2Area of stationary object
If rigid connector structures are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but space requirements around the wall socket increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connector uses dynamic mechanisms including rotational movement of the plug and linear movement of wired contacts along tracks. This allows the connector to operate in limited spaces around wall sockets while maintaining ease of connection, as the dynamic components can adapt to various positioning scenarios without requiring extensive free space
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces rotational freedom in the coaxial direction and linear movement along tracks, adding dimensional flexibility to the connector. This allows the connector to be positioned and oriented in multiple ways within limited space, reducing the area requirement around the wall socket while maintaining operational ease
3Adaptability or versatility
If the plug is made rotatable and displaceable, then positioning flexibility is improved, but maintaining continuous electrical contact becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The wired contacts are designed to move dynamically along linear tracks within the housing, maintaining continuous electrical connection with the pins as the plug rotates and displaces. This dynamic contact mechanism ensures reliability of electrical connection while enabling positioning flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The linear tracks and circular tracks serve as intermediary elements that guide and constrain the movement of wired contacts and plug respectively. These tracks ensure that electrical contact is maintained continuously during rotation and displacement, mediating between the moving parts and the electrical connection requirement
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 connector provides unprecedented flexibility in arranging the connector body at any user-specified angle and distance, overcoming space limitations imposed by wall sockets while ensuring continuous electrical contact and safety.
Implementation Method 1
each wired contact comprises a contact connection to the corresponding track that is pressed against the flat face of the corresponding track, and is moveable along the round flat track upon the rotation of the plug in respect to the housing
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An electric connector connecting one plug with several sockets in a housing, arranged to allow rotating the plug relative to the housing, as well as linearly moving the plug along the housing, while keeping the connector functional. The plug pins are movably connected to round flat tracks, which are movably connected to linear tracks that are connected via straps to the corresponding sockets' slots.