Rotatable Electric Plug With Limiting Assembly

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional rotatable electric sockets are complex, costly, and have a short service life due to rotational movement, making it difficult to align with unidirectional plug-in features of electrical sockets.

Innovation Solution

A rotatable electric plug with a plug module that can be smoothly rotated within a plug housing and limited by a blocking assembly to prevent infinite rotation, allowing for adjustable orientation of protruding pins and enhancing manufacturing simplicity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a rotatable electric socket is used to match plug-in direction, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases and service life decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplug-in direction matchingVSAvoidstructural configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of making the socket rotatable to adapt to different plug orientations, the invention inverts the approach by making the plug rotatable within its housing. The plug body can rotate 360 degrees relative to the socket, allowing the user to align the plug pins with the socket openings in any orientation. This transfers the rotational mechanism from the socket side to the plug side, simplifying the socket structure while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The plug incorporates a dynamic rotational mechanism that allows continuous 360-degree rotation of the plug body relative to the housing. This dynamic capability enables the plug to adapt to any plug-in direction without requiring the socket to have multiple configurations or complex adjustment mechanisms. The rotational自由度 is maintained through a bearing or low-friction support structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a rotatable electric socket is used to match plug-in direction, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplug-in direction matchingVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transfers the rotational mechanism from the socket to the plug, which is more cost-effective to manufacture. The plug can be produced as a single integrated component with internal rotational elements, while the socket remains a simple, static receptacle. This inversion eliminates the need for complex socket assemblies, reducing manufacturing steps and material costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The rotatable plug design creates a universal solution that works with any standard socket without requiring socket modification. A single plug design with rotational capability can accommodate various socket orientations and configurations, eliminating the need to manufacture multiple socket variants for different plug-in directions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a rotatable electric socket is used to match plug-in direction, then adaptability is improved, but service life decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplug-in direction matchingVSAvoidservice life

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By placing the rotational mechanism in the plug rather than the socket, the invention protects the rotational components from the harsh electrical environment and mechanical stresses experienced by sockets. The plug's rotational bearing and moving parts are isolated from contact with the socket's contact elements, reducing wear and extending the operational life of both components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The plug, containing the rotational mechanism, can be easily replaced if wear occurs, while the expensive and permanently installed socket remains intact. This approach prioritizes the longevity of the fixed infrastructure (socket) over the portable component (plug), making economic sense for building-wide electrical installations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS11495910B2Rotatable electric plug

Publication Date: 2022.11.08 SHENZHEN CHENBEI TECH CO LTD

AI summary

A rotatable electric plug includes a plug housing including a sleeve body, a plug module including a mounting body and at least a protruding pin, and a limiting assembly coupled to the sleeve body and the mounting body. The mounting body is rotatably coupled in the sleeve body that a rotational movement of the mounting body is reversible. The mounting body has a first side and an opposed second side that a portion of the protruding pin is extended from the first side of the mounting body. The limiting assembly is arranged to block the plug module from rotating infinitely at the plug housing in one direction. The rotatable electric plug has the advantages of enabling the reversibly rotational movement of the plug module, enhancing the rotational movement of the plug module, retaining the plug module at an angular angle, and preventing the plug module from being infinitely rotated.