Socket Contact Actuator for Wear-Resistant Electrical Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connection apparatuses face challenges in efficiently forming and breaking connections with minimal friction wear, leading to reduced lifespan and potential interference during plug insertion.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a socket cavity and actuator that automatically switches from a retracted to an extended configuration upon plug insertion, reducing friction wear and ensuring reliable electrical connections by laterally extending socket contacts to form connections with plug contacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If socket contacts are positioned in the insertion path of the plug, then electrical connection can be formed, but friction wear increases and lifespan is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The socket contacts are designed to be movable rather than fixed, transitioning between a retracted first configuration (reducing friction wear) and an extended second configuration (forming electrical connections). This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize between connection reliability and component lifespan depending on operational needs.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If socket contacts are laterally retracted from the insertion path, then friction wear is reduced, but electrical connection cannot be formed
Solution Approach 1:
The socket contacts transition from a retracted first configuration that minimizes friction wear during plug insertion to an extended second configuration that establishes reliable electrical connections. The actuator enables this dynamic repositioning to occur automatically based on plug insertion depth.
Solution Approach 2:
The socket contacts are preliminarily positioned in a retracted configuration before plug insertion to prevent friction wear. Upon detection of plug insertion beyond the threshold distance, the actuator automatically extends the contacts to form electrical connections, ensuring both wear reduction and connection reliability.
3Device complexity
If manual switching of socket contact configuration is used, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator system operates automatically based on plug insertion depth, detecting when the plug has been inserted beyond the threshold distance and autonomously switching the socket contacts between configurations. This eliminates the need for manual intervention, maintaining simple device structure while significantly improving ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprising: a socket cavity extending longitudinally and configured to receive a plug inserted longitudinally through an aperture; a first socket contact positioned within the socket cavity; an actuator configured to automatically switch the apparatus from a first configuration to a second configuration, when the plug is inserted longitudinally beyond a threshold insertion distance at which a tip of the plug has been inserted past the first socket contact and a first plug contact is positioned adjacent the first socket contact, wherein, in the first configuration, the first socket contact is laterally retracted from an insertion path of the plug through the socket cavity and wherein, in the second configuration, the first socket contact laterally extended towards the plug to form an electrical connection with the first plug contact.