Tamper Resistant Receptacle Shutter Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tamper-resistant electrical receptacles are not adaptable to various plug and receptacle configurations worldwide, posing a risk of electrical shock to children, especially in regions with different voltage standards and plug types.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a cover with two cover apertures, a platform with aligned apertures and a channel, a slider with a post and shutters, and a coil spring, which provides tamper resistance by interposing shutters between cover and platform apertures in a resting state and allowing plug contact blades to pass through in a compressed state, while a pin trap channel prevents small conductive objects from reaching the platform.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tamper-resistant shutters are interposed between cover and platform apertures, then protection against electrical shock is improved, but accommodation of various plug configurations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter assembly is made dynamic through the slider mechanism that allows the shutters to move between a closed position (blocking apertures for tamper resistance) and an open position (allowing plug insertion). The coil spring provides the dynamic force to return the shutter to its blocked position after plug insertion, enabling the system to adapt its state based on operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter geometry is specifically designed with angled surfaces and contoured shapes that change the spatial parameters of the aperture blockage. The shutters are positioned and shaped to block apertures when closed, but their movement and specific contours allow various plug types (different sizes, shapes, and configurations) to pass through when the shutter is actuated, thus changing the blocking parameter dynamically.
2Ease of operation
If a slider mechanism with coil spring is used to move shutters, then ease of plug insertion is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coil spring provides self-service by automatically returning the shutter to its blocked position after plug insertion without requiring external actuation or complex control mechanisms. The spring's stored energy performs the work of resetting the shutter, eliminating the need for motors, sensors, or complex mechanical return systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The core function of moving the shutter is extracted and simplified to a single degree of freedom motion along the channel. The slider is designed with minimal components (post, shutters, spring) that perform the essential function of blocking and unblocking, removing unnecessary complexity from the mechanism while maintaining ease of operation.
3Reliability
If pin trap channel is added to trap conductive objects, then safety against electrical shock is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pin trap channel is merged with the existing platform structure and aperture design. The channel is formed as an integrated feature of the platform, utilizing the same material and manufacturing process as the platform itself, thus adding the safety function without requiring separate components or complex assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The pin trap channel provides localized protection specifically at the platform level where small conductive objects may be inserted. The channel is positioned and shaped to trap objects locally without affecting the overall receptacle structure or requiring changes to other parts of the device, thus adding safety with minimal manufacturing impact.
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
This configuration ensures tamper resistance for multiple plug types and configurations, preventing electrical shock by allowing authorized plugs to insert while blocking unauthorized objects, and accommodating different regional plug standards.
Implementation Method 1
a coil spring coupled to the slider. The coil spring has a resting state in which the shutters are interposed between the two cover apertures and the two platform apertures, and has a compressed state in which the shutters are not interposed between the two cover apertures and the two platform apertures
Data Source
AI summary
A tamper resistant electrical receptacle is disclosed that includes a cover having two cover apertures, a platform, a slider positioned between the cover and the platform and coupled to the platform, and a coil spring. The platform includes two platform apertures aligned with the two cover apertures, a channel between the two platform apertures, and a pin trap channel separate from the two platform apertures for trapping a pin inserted into one of the two cover apertures. The slider includes a post that engages the channel, and shutters connected to the post. The coil spring is coupled to the slider and has a resting state in which the shutters are interposed between the cover and platform apertures, and a compressed state in which the shutters are not interposed. The slider glides along the channel of the platform as the coil spring moves between the resting and compressed states.