Rotating Safety Outlet Structure for Moisture and Foreign Object Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional outlets are prone to safety accidents such as electric shocks and short circuits due to the insertion of foreign materials and moisture, and existing safety-enhanced outlets fail to prevent these issues effectively.
Innovation Solution
A safety outlet with a switch function that allows current flow only when a plug is inserted, featuring a modular safety switch module that rotates to block the insertion path and includes drainage paths to prevent liquid contact, ensuring a simple structure and effective prevention of accidents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pin insertion port is always open to allow plug insertion, then ease of operation is improved, but safety deteriorates due to foreign material penetration and moisture ingress
Solution Approach 1:
The pin insertion port is designed to dynamically change its state between open and closed based on operational requirements. The blocking member can rotate to block the port when not in use, and the safety switch module rotates to open the insertion path when a plug is properly inserted, providing both safety and operational ease
Solution Approach 2:
The safety switch module acts as an intermediary mechanism between the plug insertion action and the electrical connection. It verifies proper plug insertion through the rotation guiding inclined surface and only then opens the insertion path, preventing foreign material access while enabling legitimate plug insertion
2Reliability
If the pin insertion port is blocked to prevent foreign material insertion, then safety is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in plug insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking member provides a static block that can rotate to open the port when needed. This dynamic capability allows the port to remain blocked for safety while being easily accessible when a plug is inserted, resolving the contradiction between safety and operational ease
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking member is positioned to block the pin insertion port before any insertion attempt. This preliminary blocking action prevents foreign material insertion, and the system is designed to automatically open the path when proper plug insertion is detected
3Device complexity
If conventional safety outlets allow current flow when foreign material is inserted, then device complexity is reduced, but safety deteriorates due to electric shock risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces simple mechanical contact with a safety switch module that uses rotational movement controlled by the rotation guiding inclined surface. This mechanical substitution ensures that electrical contact only occurs when the plug is properly inserted and the safety switch module is in the correct position, preventing electric shock from foreign materials
Solution Approach 2:
The safety switch module serves as an intermediary between the plug insertion and electrical connection. It controls the opening and closing of the insertion path, ensuring that current flow is only permitted when proper plug insertion is verified, thereby maintaining safety without excessive complexity
4Reliability
If water drainage paths are added to discharge liquid from the outlet, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional structural components
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage system is segmented into multiple independent drainage paths, each corresponding to a pin insertion port. This segmentation allows liquid to be discharged from each port separately, preventing liquid accumulation and short circuits while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support, contains the electrical components, and incorporates drainage paths for liquid discharge. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate drainage components, maintaining structural simplicity while improving safety
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 safety outlet significantly reduces the risk of electric shocks and short circuits by allowing current flow only when the plug is properly inserted, while efficiently discharging liquids to prevent accidents, and simplifies assembly and manufacturing through a modular design.
Implementation Method 1
a switch elastic member providing an elastic force such that the safety switch module is rotated in a second direction so as to block the insertion path
Implementation Method 2
having an upper surface provided with a rotation guiding inclined surface in contact with the pin insertion port, being initially positioned such that the rotation guiding inclined surface corresponds to the pin through hole, and being configured to be rotated in the first direction by contact between the pin of the plug and the rotation guiding inclined surface
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a safety outlet having a switch function. The safety outlet includes a housing coupling body having a pin through hole into which a plug pin is inserted and having an inner portion provided with a module arrangement space in communication with the pin through hole, and includes a safety switch module being disposed in the module arrangement space and being configured to be rotated in a first direction by being in contact with the plug pin and by being pressed, thereby opening an insertion path of the plug pin. Furthermore, the safety outlet includes a switch elastic member providing an elastic force such that the safety switch module is rotated in a second direction so as to block the insertion path, and includes a power terminal disposed outside the safety switch module from inside the housing coupling body and connected to an external power source.