Tamper Resistant Power Tap Shutter and Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power taps lack tamper resistance, allowing unauthorized access to electrical connections, which can lead to safety hazards and misuse.
Innovation Solution
A tamper-resistant power tap design featuring a shutter system, electrically isolating features, and a locking mechanism within the receptacle portion, along with a secure cavity and retainer system to prevent access unless the cover is opened, ensuring that the electrical plug is properly inserted and locked.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a power tap includes an open electrical receptacle portion for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but safety is worsened due to unauthorized access to electrical connections
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter system is positioned in advance to cover the electrical receptacle opening before any plug insertion attempt. The shutter must be manually opened by the user before access is granted, preventing unauthorized contact with electrical connections while maintaining ease of operation when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter acts as an intermediary barrier between the user and the electrical receptacle. It mediates access by requiring intentional opening action, thus preventing accidental or unauthorized contact while still allowing legitimate use when the cover is opened.
2Ease of operation
If the electrical receptacle is always accessible, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to added safety mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The power tap is segmented into distinct functional components: the cover, the shutter system, and the electrical receptacle portion. This segmentation allows the shutter to be a separate, simple mechanism that adds safety functionality without complicating the overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter system is applied locally only at the electrical receptacle opening where safety is needed, rather than making the entire device complex. This localized approach provides tamper resistance precisely where required while keeping the rest of the power tap simple and easy to operate.
3Ease of operation
If the cover is always open for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability is worsened due to exposure to environmental factors and misuse
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is designed to be opened as a preliminary action before the shutter can be accessed. This sequential opening mechanism ensures that the electrical plug receiving portion is only exposed when intentionally accessed, maintaining reliability by protecting connections from environmental factors and misuse when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover and shutter system create a dynamic protection mechanism that transitions from closed to open state based on user action. The cover provides the first layer of dynamic protection, and the shutter provides the second layer, ensuring reliability is maintained until intentional access is required.
Data Source
AI summary
A power tap including a body having an electrical plug receiving portion, an electrical receptacle portion on the body, a current transmitter connecting the electrical plug receiving portion and the electrical receptacle, and a cavity in the electrical plug receiving portion. The electrical plug receiving portion may further include a cover for opening and closing access to the cavity.