Socket Assembly with Plug Detection to Prevent Sparking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sockets generate high current and voltage upon plug insertion, leading to sparking and safety hazards, and continue to consume power when in standby mode if not manually turned off.

Innovation Solution

A socket assembly with a power supply electrode group and detection electrode assembly that detects plug insertion, forming a current loop to enable power supply only when the plug is correctly inserted, and stops power supply when not inserted, using a control circuit to manage inverter circuit operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the socket outputs inverter current continuously to ensure power availability, then power supply reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases and safety hazards occur during standby mode

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The detection electrode assembly performs preliminary detection of plug insertion state before the inverter circuit activates power output. The control circuit receives detection signals in advance and prepares the power supply state accordingly, ensuring reliable power delivery only when needed while avoiding unnecessary energy consumption during standby mode

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The detection electrode assembly continuously monitors the plug insertion state and provides feedback signals to the control circuit. The control circuit adjusts the inverter circuit operation based on this feedback, turning off power output when no plug is detected and turning it on when a plug is inserted, thereby eliminating wasteful energy consumption while maintaining power supply reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Speed

If the socket provides continuous power output to ensure immediate availability, then power supply responsiveness is improved, but sparking occurs upon plug insertion due to high current and voltage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply responsivenessVSAvoidsparking phenomenon
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The detection electrode assembly detects plug insertion in advance before the power supply electrodes establish full electrical contact. The control circuit receives this preliminary detection signal and prepares the inverter circuit to activate power output only after safe contact is confirmed, preventing sparking while ensuring immediate power delivery thereafter

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The detection electrode assembly acts as an intermediary between the plug insertion event and the power supply activation. It detects the insertion state through a separate detection circuit that operates independently from the main power circuit, providing a safe intermediate signal to the control circuit which then triggers controlled power delivery, eliminating direct high-voltage sparking

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the socket maintains standby power output to ensure immediate power availability, then convenience is improved, but safety hazards increase due to continuous high voltage presence

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveconvenienceVSAvoidsafety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The detection electrode assembly performs preliminary detection of plug presence before the inverter circuit activates. The control circuit uses this advance information to enable power output only when a plug is detected, eliminating continuous high voltage presence while ensuring immediate power availability when needed, thus improving both safety and convenience

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The socket assembly autonomously monitors its own operational state through the detection electrode assembly and automatically adjusts power output accordingly. The control circuit receives detection signals and independently controls the inverter circuit to activate or deactivate power delivery, eliminating the need for manual user intervention while maintaining safety by preventing continuous high voltage presence

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4579962A1Socket assembly and electronic device
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 ANKER INNOVATIONS TECH CO LTD
  • EP4579962A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4579962A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4579962A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Disclosed are a socket assembly and an electronic apparatus. The socket assembly comprises a socket body, a power supply electrode group, and a detection electrode assembly. The power supply electrode group is disposed in the socket body, and comprises two power supply electrodes. The two power supply electrodes are used for contacting the plug electrode group inserted into the socket body, and contacting the plug electrode group when the plug electrode group is further inserted to a preset position in the socket body. The detection electrode assembly is disposed in the socket body, and is used for detecting the insertion state of the plug electrode group. The detection electrode assembly has an off state and an on state. When the plug electrode group is not inserted to the preset position, the detection electrode assembly is in the off state. When the plug electrode group is inserted to the preset position, the detection electrode assembly is in the on state to form a current loop. The socket assembly can effectively improve the use safety of a socket and effectively save energy.