Cable-Retaining Wall Plate for USB Outlet Theft Prevention

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Businesses face the issue of customers taking USB charging cables with built-in electrical connection fittings from AC and DC outlets, as existing wall plates lack effective cable retention features.

Innovation Solution

The development of a cable retaining wall plate with a cable connector retention member and pass-through section that protrudes from the front face, featuring slots and hooks to securely hold USB connectors in place, preventing accidental or intentional removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a standard wall plate is used without cable retention features, then the wall plate is simple and easy to manufacture, but customers can accidentally or intentionally remove USB charging cables from the outlet

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable retentionVSAvoidwall plate structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wall plate is segmented into multiple functional components: a front face, a cable connector retention member with slots and hooks, and a cable pass-through section. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cable connector retention member is pre-configured with slots and hooks that are positioned to automatically engage with USB connectors when they are inserted into the outlet. This preliminary arrangement prevents the need for additional retention actions later

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a cable retention mechanism is added to the wall plate, then cable theft is prevented, but the wall plate becomes more complex and difficult to manufacture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable theft preventionVSAvoidwall plate fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cable retention functionality is merged into the wall plate structure itself through the cable connector retention member, which integrates slots and hooks as inherent features rather than separate components. This merging approach prevents cable theft while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate parts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The retention features (slots and hooks) are applied locally at specific positions on the wall plate where cable connectors need to be secured, rather than making the entire wall plate complex. The front face includes a cable connector retention member with slots and hooks positioned to engage USB connectors, providing targeted retention where needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If cable connectors are allowed to pass through the wall plate freely, then cable access is easy, but connectors can be easily removed and cables suffer from wear and tear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable accessVSAvoidconnector attachment stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The cable connector retention member provides dynamic retention: connectors can be easily inserted through the slots when needed, but once inserted, the hooks automatically engage to prevent removal. This dynamic behavior allows easy access during insertion while providing stability during use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cable connector retention member acts as an intermediary between the wall plate and the USB connector. It provides a controlled interface that allows easy insertion through slots while preventing removal through the engagement of hooks, thereby protecting the cable connection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12074420B2Cable retaining wall plate for combination AC and DC power outlets

Publication Date: 2024.08.27 ARMSTRONG PAUL JOHN

AI summary

A wall plate for covering an AC/DC wall outlet includes a generally rectangular or “designer” opening configured to receive the wall outlet. The wall plate includes a cable retention member and a pass-through section. The cable retention member and the pass-through section protrude from a front face of the wall plate. The retention member protrudes far enough to allow the wall plate to seat on the outlet while a cable connector is in a corresponding DC outlet of the wall outlet. The retention member includes a slot configured to allow the connector to pass-through the slot in a first orientation but not a second orientation 90 degrees off from the first orientation. When the connector is in the DC outlet, it is in the second orientation relative to the slot. The pass-through section defines an opening that allows the connector to be received in a second DC outlet corresponding to the pass-through section regardless of orientation of the connector relative to the opening and pass-through section. The cord retention member and pass-through section cooperate to form a bridge between sides of the wall plate over the AC outlet. In one embodiment, the pass-through section extends vertically further from the face of the plate than the cord retention member.