Concealable Indicator Assembly for Wall Plate Wiring Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wall plate indicator systems are not concealable, leading to wear, aesthetic issues, and potential safety hazards due to incorrect reattachment during maintenance, which can result in electrocution risks.
Innovation Solution
A selectively concealable indicator assembly that mounts behind a wall plate, featuring an elongate member that moves between concealed and extended positions, providing a visible indicator for interior wiring information while reducing exposure and aesthetic concerns by being directly attached to a receptacle, thus minimizing the risk of misplacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the indicator is attached directly to the wall plate, then the indicator is easily accessible and visible, but the indicator is exposed to wear and tear and fading over time
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator is extracted from the wall plate and relocated to the receptacle. The indicator assembly is now attached to the receptacle rather than the wall plate, which resolves the contradiction by protecting the indicator from wear while maintaining visibility through the extension mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator assembly is made dynamic with an extendable elongate member that can move between concealed and extended positions. This allows the indicator to be concealed when not in use (protecting it from wear) and extended when visibility is needed, resolving the contradiction between protection and accessibility.
2Ease of operation
If the indicator is always visible, then circuit identification is easy, but aesthetics are compromised and the indicator is exposed to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator assembly transitions from a static always-visible design to a dynamic concealable design. The elongate member can be extended when circuit identification is needed and retracted when aesthetics are prioritized, resolving the contradiction between visibility and appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator is displayed periodically rather than continuously. It is extended only when needed for circuit identification and concealed otherwise, maintaining aesthetics while providing accessibility when required.
3Ease of repair
If the wall plate is removed for maintenance, then repairs can be accessed, but the indicator is lost or mismatched with the wall plate
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator is extracted from the wall plate and attached to the receptacle instead. This ensures the indicator remains with the electrical component rather than the cosmetic wall plate, preventing mismatching during maintenance activities.
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator provides visual feedback about the circuit status and remains attached to the receptacle, ensuring that even if the wall plate is removed or misplaced, the indicator stays with the correct circuit for safe identification.
4Reliability
If the indicator is concealed when not in use, then aesthetics are improved and wear is reduced, but accessibility for quick identification is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator assembly is designed to be dynamically extendable, allowing quick access when needed. The elongate member can be rapidly extended from the concealed position to the extended position, resolving the contradiction between protection and quick accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
Selectively concealable indicator assemblies configured to mount behind a wall plate, which provides an interface to interior wiring and is operatively mounted to a wall with a mounting fits tenet. The indicator assembly includes an elongate member and an indicator. The elongate member is disposed between the wall and the wall plate and configured to move between a first position substantially concealed by the wall plate and a second position where at least a portion of the elongate member extends beyond the wall plate. The indicator is disposed on the portion of the elongate member that extends beyond the wall plate when the elongate indicator is in the second position.