Smart Plug Adapter Locking via Vibration Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional smart plug adapters often accidentally unplug from wall sockets due to impacts or misfits, risking damage and electrical hazards when unplugging devices, and require manual handling to avoid electrical contact.
Innovation Solution
A smart plug adapter with a housing containing a controller, mechanical vibrations actuator, and vibration sensors that locks the male member to the power socket only when a device plug is engaged, using electromechanical or electromagnetic mechanisms to prevent accidental disconnection and allow safe unplugging without touching the adapter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the smart plug adapter is made to be easily removable from the wall socket, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates as accidental unplugging occurs under impacts or excessive weight
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism transitions between locked and unlocked states dynamically based on detected vibration patterns. Normal vibrations during insertion trigger automatic locking, while specific vibration patterns during intentional unplugging trigger automatic unlocking, resolving the contradiction between stable connection and easy operation
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration sensor provides feedback about the physical state and external forces applied to the smart plug adapter. The controller processes this feedback to automatically lock or unlock the connection, eliminating the need for manual intervention and preventing accidental unplugging while maintaining ease of operation
2Reliability
If the smart plug adapter automatically locks to the wall socket, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates as manual handling is required to unplug
Solution Approach 1:
The smart plug adapter performs the locking and unlocking operations automatically based on vibration detection, without requiring manual handling. The system serves itself by detecting its own state changes and autonomously controlling the locking mechanism, improving both reliability and ease of operation simultaneously
3Ease of operation
If the user must touch the smart plug adapter to unplug devices, then the ease of operation is improved, but the safety deteriorates due to risk of electrical hazard
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical action of manually touching and pulling the adapter with an automatic vibration-based detection and control system. The vibration sensor and controller detect insertion events and trigger automatic locking/unlocking, eliminating the need for user contact with electrical components and thereby removing the electrical hazard risk while maintaining ease of operation
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
Prevents accidental unplugging and falling of the smart plug adapter from the wall socket during use and unplugging, ensuring secure electrical connection and reducing the risk of damage, while allowing device removal without manual contact with the adapter.
Implementation Method 1
at least one vibration sensor at the female member and that determines mechanical vibrations, when present, from the device plug
Implementation Method 2
a mechanical vibrations actuator at the female member and that emits mechanical vibrations outwardly from the housing
Implementation Method 3
The locking mechanism may be hydraulically actuated or pneumatically actuated, and may have electromechanical mechanism or electromagnetic mechanism
Implementation Method 4
The locking mechanism may be hydraulically actuated or pneumatically actuated, and may have electromechanical mechanism or electromagnetic mechanism
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A smart plug adapter (1) includes a housing (30), a controller (50), a male member (10) to receive electrical current when engaged with a power socket (80), a locking mechanism (40) which when actuated locks with the power socket (80), a female member (20) to provide the current to an electrical device (90) when a plug (91) of the device (90) is inserted therein, a mechanical vibrations actuator (60) at the female member (20) and that emits mechanical vibrations outwardly from the housing (30), and a vibration sensor (62) at the female member (20) and that determines mechanical vibrations, when present, from the device plug (91). The controller (50) sends an actuating signal to the locking mechanism (40) when the controller (50) receives a signal from the vibration sensor (62) that is indicative of presence of mechanical vibrations i.e. indicative of the presence of the device plug (91) engaged with the female member (20). The actuating signal actuates the locking mechanism (40).