Rotatable Plug Structure With Clamping Member For Power Adapter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotatable connectors in power adapters suffer from poor usage stability due to deviations in pin and terminal positions caused by collisions or assembly tolerances, leading to disconnection issues.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable plug structure with a carrying base, conductive terminals, and a plug featuring a clamping member with metal slats that form a gripping portion to secure the conductive connecting ends, allowing for a three-face contact and an elastic space to prevent improper connections, and a pivotal axle for deployment and retraction, enhancing contact reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional single-point contact between pins and terminals is used, then the structure is simple, but the connection reliability deteriorates due to position deviations from collisions or assembly tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The contact interface is transformed from a single-point contact to a multi-point contact by extending the contact area along the insertion direction. The inclined surface creates a progressive contact sequence where multiple points engage simultaneously or sequentially, converting a zero-dimensional contact point into a one-dimensional contact line/area, thereby improving reliability without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The contact structure is divided into multiple contact points arranged along the insertion direction. Instead of one contact point, there are multiple discrete contact locations that engage sequentially or simultaneously, distributing the contact load and providing redundancy against position deviations
2Stability of the object's composition
If multiple contact points are introduced to improve stability, then connection reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple contact points are merged into a unified inclined surface structure. Rather than separate independent contact elements, the contact points are integrated into a single continuous inclined plane that guides insertion and provides progressive engagement, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining multi-point contact benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The contact interface is extended along the insertion direction to create a progressive engagement sequence. The inclined surface transforms a simple point contact into an area contact with spatial distribution, improving stability through geometric arrangement rather than adding complex mechanical structures
3Reliability
If a clamping member with metal slats is used to secure conductive connecting ends, then contact reliability improves through three-face contact, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping member is segmented into two separate metal slats that form the clamping structure. These slats can be manufactured independently and then assembled, allowing for simpler individual component fabrication while achieving the complex three-face contact geometry when combined
Solution Approach 2:
The metal slats are designed with specific geometric parameters including inclination angles and spacing that create the three-face contact configuration. By optimizing these parameters, the complex contact geometry is achieved through precise dimensional control rather than complex structural design, facilitating manufacturing
Data Source
AI summary
A rotatable plug structure for a power adapter includes a carrying base, two conductive terminals and a plug. The carrying base includes a first installation slot, a second installation slot and a channel connected between the two. The conductive terminals are secured onto the first and second installation slots; the conductive terminals include a main body, a wiring portion and a clamping member. The clamping member includes a pair of metal slats bent from the main body and extended to taper toward each other. The plug is rotatably installed on the carrying base and the conductive terminal; the plug includes a pivotal axle, a pair of insertion pins and a conductive connecting end. The plug swings freely about the pivotal axle between a deployed state and a retracted state; thereby, the conductive connecting ends are clamped by the clamping member or disengaged therefrom to overcome the improper contact problem.