Adjustable Electrical Box Cover Plate for Flush Wall Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical box mounting solutions often result in recessed electrical devices due to varying wall thicknesses and construction methods, making them inaccessible and difficult to position correctly, especially in renovated structures.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable electrical box cover plate with a telescoping member and sliding sleeve allows for adjustment of the electrical device's position relative to the electrical box and wall surface, accommodating different wall thicknesses by using a collar and adjustment screws to move the sleeve between retracted and extended positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the electrical box is mounted according to conventional methods, then the electrical box can be easily installed, but the electrical device becomes recessed and inaccessible due to varying wall thicknesses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the mounting plate adjustable rather than fixed. The mounting plate includes adjustment mechanisms that allow it to be positioned at different depths relative to the electrical box, enabling adaptation to various wall thicknesses. This dynamic adjustment capability resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to maintain device accessibility (improving ease of operation) while accommodating different wall conditions (improving adaptability).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by modifying the position and depth parameters of the mounting plate. The mounting plate can be adjusted to change its protrusion distance from the electrical box, thereby changing the effective position parameter of the mounted electrical device. This allows the system to adapt to different wall thicknesses while maintaining proper device accessibility.
2Ease of operation
If the electrical box is recessed in renovated construction, then the wall structure is maintained, but the electrical device becomes difficult to position and access
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting plate is designed with dynamic adjustment capabilities, allowing it to be positioned at multiple depth levels relative to the electrical box. This dynamic feature enables the mounting plate to compensate for recessed electrical boxes in renovated constructions, bringing the electrical device to an accessible position without requiring complex repositioning of the entire electrical box or wall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting plate acts as an intermediary element between the recessed electrical box and the electrical device. By providing an adjustable intermediate mounting surface, it bridges the gap created by recessed box installation, allowing the electrical device to be positioned at the correct accessible depth without modifying the electrical box or wall structure.
3Ease of operation
If the electrical device is mounted flush with the wall surface, then accessibility is improved, but the mounting structure becomes more complex to accommodate varying wall depths
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting plate incorporates dynamic adjustment mechanisms that allow it to be positioned at different depths. This enables the mounting plate to adapt to varying wall thicknesses and electrical box positions, allowing the electrical device to be mounted flush with the wall surface while using a relatively simple adjustable plate rather than a complex fixed structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting plate is designed as a universal component that can accommodate multiple installation scenarios. It can be adjusted to work with different wall thicknesses, different electrical box positions (including recessed installations), and different electrical devices. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple specialized mounting structures, thereby managing complexity while achieving flush mounting for accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical box assembly includes an adjustable electrical box cover. The cover includes a base plate having a central opening and a collar encircling the central opening. A sleeve slides through the collar and is adjusted by a plurality of adjustment screws. In one embodiment, the adjustment screws are positioned between the sleeve and the collar. In another embodiment, the sleeve and collar have inwardly extending tabs to receive the adjustment screws.