Flush Socket Lighting Module Spring Leg Locking Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flush-mounted sockets lack a reliable mechanism to fix spreaders in a 'rest position' without additional holding means, such as rubber rings, during installation.
Innovation Solution
A flush-mounted socket with a separate lamp module for orientation lighting and/or operating voltage display, featuring a lamp housing with spring legs on non-adjacent side surfaces that pivotally attach to the device base, providing a locking mechanism for the spreaders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional holding means (e.g., rubber rings) are used to fix spreaders in rest position, then reliability of spreader positioning is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the holding function with the lamp housing structure by integrating spring legs directly into the housing. This merging eliminates the need for separate holding means like rubber rings, thereby maintaining reliable spreader positioning while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring legs are designed to automatically engage with the spreaders and maintain them in the rest position through their elastic properties. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for additional components or complex assembly steps, achieving both reliability and simplicity.
2Device complexity
If spring legs are integrated into the lamp housing, then additional holding means are eliminated, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring legs are designed with specific geometric parameters and elastic properties that allow them to function as holding means while being integrated into the lamp housing. By carefully selecting these parameters, the patent achieves reliable spreader positioning through the housing structure itself, eliminating additional components.
3Ease of operation
If spreaders are reliably locked in rest position without additional holding means, then ease of installation is improved, but the locking mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring legs automatically perform the locking function through their elastic deformation and recovery. When the spreaders are inserted, the spring legs naturally engage with them and maintain the rest position, eliminating the need for complex manual locking mechanisms or additional holding components.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring legs provide a dynamic locking mechanism that adapts to the spreader position through elastic deformation. This dynamic behavior allows the housing structure itself to serve as the locking mechanism, simplifying the overall device while ensuring reliable spreader positioning during installation.
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 spreaders are reliably locked in a 'rest position' before installation, eliminating the need for additional holding means, ensuring secure positioning without external retention.
Implementation Method 1
two spring legs in pairs on the device base pivotally attached spreaders include arresting
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The flush-socket has a separate illuminant module (1) with an illuminant housing (3), which is installed at a base side of a device socket and includes two suspension units (4-6) at two non-adjacent sides. The suspension units include two pairs of spreaders that are fastened to the device socket, where each suspension unit includes a rest nose (9) on either side for locking the spreaders. Spreader-return springs hold the spreaders in a quiescent position in a direction of the device socket and between the suspension units.