Configurable Electrical Receptacles With Removable Inserts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current home automation systems lack compatibility and flexibility, with few industry standards, leading to fragmented markets and limited ability to easily reconfigure electrical receptacles to meet evolving user needs.
Innovation Solution
Development of configurable electrical receptacles that allow in-situ replacement of inserts, enabling users to change functionality after initial installation, compatible with both electrical outlets and switches, using a housing and faceplate design with retention mechanisms for inserts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electrical receptacles are designed with fixed functionality at installation, then initial setup is simple, but adaptability to evolving user needs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle is divided into a fixed housing and a removable insert. The housing contains the electrical connections and structural elements, while the insert contains the functional components (outlets, switches, sensors). This segmentation allows the functional insert to be replaced without replacing the entire receptacle, enabling adaptability while keeping the overall system relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The receptacle housing is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple types of inserts through standardized interfaces. A single housing can support various functional inserts (e.g., different outlet configurations, smart switches, sensors), making the system multi-functional and adaptable to different user needs without requiring multiple specialized receptacles.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electrical receptacles allow easy replacement of functional components, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insert is nested within the housing, with the insert containing its own functional components and the housing providing the structural framework and electrical connections. This nested structure allows the functional insert to be independently replaced while maintaining the integrity of the overall receptacle assembly, achieving configurability without proportionally increasing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical connections and mounting structures are pre-configured in the housing during manufacturing. The insert is designed to mate with these pre-configured elements, eliminating the need for complex wiring or assembly procedures during field replacement. This preliminary preparation enables easy reconfiguration while keeping the installation process simple.
3Adaptability or versatility
If standard electrical receptacles are used, then compatibility with existing infrastructure is maintained, but flexibility to meet evolving needs is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle housing is designed to be universally compatible with standard electrical infrastructure (work boxes, faceplates, wiring configurations). The standardized housing interface ensures reliable installation in existing infrastructure, while the interchangeable inserts provide flexibility to implement different functionalities (smart home devices, sensors, different outlet types) without compromising compatibility.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to configurable electrical receptacles and more particularly to electrical receptacles that accept in-situ replacement of an insert providing a specific functionality within an electrical receptacle which is configurable to function or user accessible feature.