Electrical Socket Latching Mechanism for Secure Plug Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical sockets do not provide a reliable connection with electrical plugs, leading to inadvertent disconnection.
Innovation Solution
An electrical socket design featuring a main dielectric casing, terminal units with resilient clamping arms, and a latching mechanism with engaging projections and releasing units to securely hold and release the plug prongs, preventing accidental disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a simple terminal unit without latching mechanism is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of connection deteriorates leading to inadvertent disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The latching mechanism is nested within the terminal unit structure. The engaging projection on the clamping arm fits into a recess on the prong, with the releasing unit nested within the housing. This nested arrangement provides a reliable latching function without significantly increasing overall device complexity or footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping arm with engaging projection automatically engages with the prong's recess upon insertion, providing self-latching functionality. The resilient nature of the clamping arm enables automatic engagement without requiring external actuation, thereby improving connection reliability while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a latching mechanism with engaging projection is added, then the connection stability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring releasing unit actuation
Solution Approach 1:
The releasing function is extracted as a separate, dedicated unit within the terminal structure. The releasing unit with its actuating element is positioned to be accessible during plug removal, allowing users to easily disengage the latching mechanism by pressing the releasing unit, thus maintaining ease of operation despite the added latching feature.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping arm is designed with resilient properties, allowing it to dynamically adjust during engagement and disengagement. The dynamic movement of the clamping arm配合 the releasing unit enables smooth operation - the arm naturally moves into the engaged position during insertion and can be easily pushed back to disengage when the releasing unit is actuated.
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 design effectively prevents inadvertent disconnection of electrical plugs by securely engaging and disengaging the prongs, ensuring a stable connection.
Implementation Method 1
The second terminal unit includes resilient first and second clamping arms adapted for insertion of the second prong of the electrical plug therebetween
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical socket includes a pair of terminal units and a latching mechanism. Each of the terminal units includes resilient first and second clamping arms. The latching mechanism includes a pair of engaging projections, each of which is provided on the second clamping arm of a respective one of the terminal units, and a pair of releasing units, each of which is operable so as to move the second clamping arm of a respective one of the terminal units away from the first clamping arm of a respective one of the terminal units.