Adjustable Plug-Prong Wall Plate for Secure Receptacle Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing powered wall plates are unsafe due to unreliable spring biased connections and lack adaptability to various electrical device dimensions, posing electrical and fire hazards, and failing to provide secure mounting for all devices.
Innovation Solution
A powered wall plate with adjustable plug prongs that can move within apertures, allowing for secure mating with different receptacle positions, and an adjustable mounting screw aperture to accommodate diverse device configurations, along with integrated LED lighting and a photocell for ambient light control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spring biased connections are used in powered wall plates, then electrical connection is achieved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential shorting and damage over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the spring biased connection mechanism from the wall plate design entirely. Instead, it uses rigid electrical connections that are directly mounted to the electrical receptacle, eliminating the unreliable spring component that caused shorting and damage over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall plate is divided into separate functional components: a mounting portion that attaches to the electrical receptacle with rigid connections, and a cover portion that provides the user interface. This segmentation allows the electrical connection system to be optimized for reliability while the cover provides safety and aesthetics.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed mounting screw aperture positions are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability deteriorates when accommodating devices with different mounting aperture locations
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting screw apertures are designed to be repositionable rather than fixed. The wall plate includes a mounting portion with apertures that can be relocated to different positions on the electrical receptacle, allowing adaptation to various device configurations while maintaining a simple overall design.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall plate design incorporates universal mounting features that can accommodate multiple device types and configurations. The repositionable apertures and adjustable components allow a single wall plate design to serve multiple functions across different electrical device installations.
3Ease of manufacture
If direct spring biased connections are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but safety deteriorates due to electrical and fire hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The dangerous spring biased connection mechanism is completely removed from the design. The patent replaces it with rigid, secure electrical connections that are directly mounted to the electrical receptacle, eliminating the fire and electrical hazards associated with spring connections while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates protective features beforehand, including rigid connections that prevent arcing and fire hazards, and a cover portion that provides physical protection. These safety features are built into the design from the outset rather than added as retrofits.
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
Enhances safety by reducing electrical hazards, improves adaptability to various device dimensions, and provides adjustable mounting for secure attachment, while enabling customizable lighting based on ambient conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a photocell exposed on the front surface, electrically coupled to the electrical circuit and to the at least one LED light, and configured to measure an ambient light level
Implementation Method 2
at least one LED light located along a bottom edge of the wall plate and electrically coupled to the electrical circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A powered wall plate has a wall plate, an electrical circuit, at least two electrical plug prongs, and at least one mounting screw aperture. The wall plate has a front surface opposite a rear surface, as well as at least one opening extending through the front surface and the rear surface and sized to expose a first electrical receptacle of an electrical device therethrough. The electrical circuit is located between the front surface and the rear surface. The at least two electrical plug prongs are coupled to the electrical circuit within the wall plate and extend away from the rear surface of the wall plate. In addition, the at least two electrical plug prongs are configured to removably mate with a second electrical receptacle of the electrical device. A distance between the at least one mounting screw aperture and the at least two electrical plug prongs is adjustable.