Spring-Loaded Grounding Pin Concealment Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grounding devices, such as earth receptacles, often require users to manually pry open covers to access grounding pins, which is time-consuming and prone to damage, especially during quick operations like airport flights or sudden weather changes, and repairing or replacing them can be laborious and costly.
Innovation Solution
A grounding device with a plunger-type design featuring a spring-loaded plate member that automatically conceals and exposes the grounding pin, allowing easy access without manual prying, and is securely attached to a permanent outer casing for easy maintenance and repair without breaking concrete.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hinged trap door cover is used to protect the grounding pin, then the grounding pin is protected from dirt and foreign objects, but the user must manually pry open the cover which is time-consuming and the spring may break or get damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is designed as a dynamic component that automatically moves between closed and open positions using a spring mechanism. The spring-loaded system allows the cover to be pushed open easily and automatically returns to the closed position, transforming the static cover into a dynamic protective element that maintains reliability while improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism provides self-service functionality by automatically returning the cover to its closed protective position after being opened. This eliminates the need for manual intervention to close the cover and ensures continuous protection without user effort, maintaining the protective function while reducing operational complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the spring for the hinged trap door is used to automatically close the cover, then the cover automatically returns to protective position, but the spring may break or get damaged over time compromising effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism is pre-loaded with sufficient force to reliably return the cover to the closed position throughout its service life. The spring is designed with appropriate safety factors and material selection to withstand repeated compression cycles without failure, providing beforehand cushioning against potential spring failure through proper initial design and sizing.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the cover is flushed with the ground surface to prevent tripping hazards, then safety is improved, but the user must still manually pry open the cover which adds time
Solution Approach 1:
The cover transitions from a static flush-mounted component to a dynamic spring-loaded mechanism that can be quickly actuated. The spring force enables the cover to be easily pushed open with minimal effort, reducing the time required to access the grounding pin while maintaining the flush-mounted safety feature when closed.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism allows the cover to be quickly opened and closed in a single swift motion, enabling users to rapidly access the grounding pin when needed and quickly restore protection. This skipping through the opening/closing process in one motion eliminates the time-consuming manual prying while maintaining safety.
4Ease of repair
If the entire receptacle is removed for repair or replacement of the spring or cover, then the damaged components can be replaced, but the process requires breaking surrounding concrete which is laborious, expensive and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle is divided into separable components including the cover, spring mechanism, and grounding pin assembly, which can be independently accessed and replaced. This segmentation allows damaged components to be replaced without removing the entire receptacle from the concrete foundation, significantly reducing repair complexity and cost while maintaining ease of manufacture for the modular components.
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 device provides quick and safe access to grounding pins, reducing setup time and maintenance costs by allowing easy installation and repair without damaging the surrounding concrete, ensuring reliable and efficient electrical discharge in challenging environments.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member disposed within the cavity and attached to the plate member for biasing the plate member in the first position
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a grounding device. In particular, the present invention relates to ground device, or an earth receptacle, that may be installed or fixed into a structure (e.g. placed in the ground) to provide an avenue of safe discharge for electrical current when the device is connected to a piece of equipment of vehicle. In an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a grounding device comprising: (a) a first casing having an open top; (b) a pin extending from the base of and within the first casing, the pin made from an electrically conductive material and has a longitudinal length with opposite first and second ends, the second end of the pin in contact with or integral with base of the casing; (c) a plate member having an opening to allow the plate to move along the longitudinal length of the pin between a first position and a second position, the plate member and the frame form a cavity within the first casing; and (d) a biasing member disposed within the cavity and attached to the plate member for biasing the plate member in the first position, wherein the first position conceals the longitudinal length of the pin within the cavity and the second position is any position that exposes a portion of the longitudinal length of the pin.