Electrical Safety Device with Retractable Sheath and Locking Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a risk of electric shock to children from inadvertently contacting electrified prongs of electrical plugs, particularly when appliances are plugged into wall sockets, as existing safety devices do not effectively mitigate this hazard for standard electrical plugs.
Innovation Solution
An electrical safety device with a body containing sockets for receiving prong, at least one insulator on the prong, and a locking assembly to secure the prongs, along with a retractable sheath that surrounds the prongs to prevent exposure and ensure secure engagement with the outlet, minimizing contact with electrified prongs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If wall socket covers are placed to prevent child access, then safety from electric shock is improved, but accessibility for legitimate use is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The safety device employs a spring-loaded door that dynamically transitions between closed (safe) and open (accessible) states. The door automatically closes when the plug is removed and opens only when proper insertion force is applied, providing both child protection and legitimate access.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety device acts as an intermediary between the wall socket and the plug. It includes a door mechanism that mediates access to the socket, requiring both child-proof security and adult-accessibility through dual-action release mechanisms.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the safety device covers the prongs, then protection from electric shock is improved, but visibility and detection of the device is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The safety device incorporates a transparent or translucent cover that allows visual detection of the device's presence and the insertion state of plugs, while still providing physical coverage and electrical insulation to protect against prong exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The door mechanism is designed to be in a closed position by default, preliminarily protecting the prongs before any plug insertion attempt. The transparent material maintains this protective coverage while allowing users to see when a plug is properly inserted.
3Reliability
If the locking assembly secures the plug firmly, then connection reliability is improved, but ease of removal for maintenance is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism automatically engages when the plug is inserted, providing secure connection without requiring additional fastening actions. For removal, the system provides self-service through dual-action release mechanisms that allow easy disengagement when needed, balancing secure connection with easy maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking assembly transitions between locked and unlocked states dynamically. During normal operation, the spring mechanism maintains firm connection. When removal is needed, the dual-action release (pushing release members or pulling tabs) triggers the door to open and plug to be released.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical safety device includes a body having a cavity, a plurality of prongs configured to be received into sockets of an electrical outlet, and a plurality of sockets each of which is configured to receive a prong of an electrical plug therein. The electrical safety device further includes a locking assembly configured to secure the prongs of the electrical plug in the sockets of the body. At least a portion of each of the prongs of the electrical safety device includes at least one insulator disposed thereon and a retractable sheath surrounds each of the prongs of the electrical safety device to militate against an undesired contact therewith.