Wedge Plug Retention for Secure Seating and Easy Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power plug retention solutions often cause difficulty in fully seating the plug due to open-ended sleeves, leading to insufficient contact and potential overheating, and make it hard to remove the plug without damaging the cord, as they require pulling on the cord rather than the plug itself.
Innovation Solution
A power plug retention device with a wedge-shaped insertion portion and a gripping portion that forms an interference fit between the plug and receptacle, allowing for secure insertion and removal without damaging the cord, and includes a stopping surface to prevent over-insertion and an attachment mechanism for secure attachment to the plug or device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If open-ended sleeves are used to retain the plug, then the plug can be secured in the receptacle, but it causes difficulty in fully seating the plug leading to insufficient contact and potential overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a retention device as an intermediary component between the plug and receptacle. This device includes a retention arm that engages with a retention feature on the plug, providing secure retention without interfering with the proper seating of the plug contacts. The intermediary structure allows the plug to be fully inserted while maintaining secure connection.
2Reliability
If open-ended sleeves are used to retain the plug, then the plug can be secured, but it makes it hard to remove the plug without damaging the cord as they require pulling on the cord rather than the plug itself
Solution Approach 1:
The retention system is segmented into separate functional components: a retention device with a retention arm that engages the plug, and a gripping portion that allows user interaction. This segmentation enables the user to grip and remove the retention device independently, rather than having to pull on the cord, thus facilitating easy removal without cord damage.
3Reliability
If a retention device is inserted in the gap between the plug and receptacle, then it forms an interference fit to prevent accidental unplugging, but it may cause difficulty in insertion and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The retention arm is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to flex and engage with the retention feature on the plug during insertion, and to be easily disengaged during removal. The retention arm can deform elastically to pass through the gap between the plug and receptacle, then locks into position to provide secure retention. For removal, the user can apply force to the gripping portion which translates to the retention arm, allowing controlled disengagement.
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 effectively prevents accidental unplugging and vibration-induced disconnection while allowing easy insertion and removal of the power plug, ensuring secure contact and reducing the risk of electrical hazards and cord damage.
Implementation Method 1
insert and lodge the wedge in the gap to form an interference fit between the wedge, the power plug, and the power receptacle
Data Source
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AI summary
A power plug retention device for use with a power plug inserted in a power receptacle is provided. The power plug retention device includes a body including an insertion portion and a gripping portion formed along an insertion axis of the body. The insertion portion is shaped as a wedge configured to be inserted in a gap between the power plug and the power receptacle. The gripping portion includes an insertion force receiving surface formed orthogonal to the insertion axis and configured to receive an insertion force from a user in an insertion direction along the insertion axis to thereby insert and lodge the wedge in the gap to form an interference fit between the wedge, the power plug, and the power receptacle when the wedge is inserted in the gap.