Rotatable Plug Assembly for Volatile Dispensers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Volatile material dispensers with rotating plug assemblies face issues of mechanical strain on components, leading to fatigue and unstable connections, and are often bulkier than desired, making them less compact and aesthetically unappealing.
Innovation Solution
A low-profile rotating electrical plug assembly with a support block that can rotate approximately 90 degrees, featuring guide rails and projections to minimize mechanical strain on wires and reduce the overall thickness of the dispenser, allowing it to fit into various outlet orientations while maintaining a compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rotating plug assembly is added to allow compatibility with different outlet orientations, then adaptability is improved, but mechanical strain on wires increases leading to fatigue and unstable connections
Solution Approach 1:
The plug assembly is designed to be rotatable within the housing, allowing dynamic adjustment between vertical and horizontal orientations. The support block can rotate approximately 90 degrees while maintaining electrical connections, enabling adaptability to different outlet orientations without compromising reliability through proper wire routing and strain minimization features
2Adaptability or versatility
If a rotating plug assembly is added to allow compatibility with different outlet orientations, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plug assembly is segmented into distinct components: a support block that rotates, a housing that remains stationary, and electrical connections that are routed to minimize strain. This segmentation allows the rotating function to be isolated to specific parts, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation capability is achieved by allowing movement in a rotational dimension around the longitudinal axis of the plug assembly. This dimensional freedom enables the plug to adapt to different outlet orientations without requiring multiple separate assemblies or complex mechanisms
3Reliability
If wire routing is optimized to reduce mechanical strain during rotation, then reliability is improved, but the profile of the dispenser increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical wires are routed through flexible pathways within the housing and support block structure, allowing them to accommodate rotation without excessive strain. The wire routing follows curved paths and uses flexible conduits that can bend without breaking, maintaining reliability while minimizing the space required
Solution Approach 2:
The wire routing is nested within the existing structural components of the plug assembly, utilizing the internal space of the housing and support block. Wires are routed through channels and cavities already present in the design, avoiding the need for additional external routing that would increase the dispenser profile
Data Source
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AI summary
A rotatable electrical plug assembly for a volatile material dispenser includes a support block including a base having a base member and a wall extending from the base member and forming a cavity with the base member. The plug assembly further includes a cover disposed within the cavity and electrical plug pins extending through apertures in the base and including contacts that extend at an angle of about 90 degrees with respect to the plug pins, wherein the contacts are disposed between the base member and the cover. A ratio of an overall plug assembly thickness over a plug pin thickness is less than about 1.5.