Controllable Electrical Outlet With Wired Load Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing load control systems for electrical outlets are costly and complex to install due to the need for additional remotely-located load control devices and RF-responsive outlets, which increase installation time and cost.

Innovation Solution

A controllable electrical outlet system that can be installed in a standard electrical wallbox, featuring a load control circuit and communication circuit to receive digital messages, allowing control of multiple standard outlets without additional devices, and includes actuators for easy configuration and power measurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If RF-responsive electrical outlets are installed in each wallbox to provide control of plug-in electrical loads, then control capability is improved, but system cost increases greatly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol capabilityVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a remotely-located load control device as an intermediary that receives wireless signals and controls electrical outlets through wired connections. This mediator allows standard outlets to be controlled without modifying each outlet to be RF-responsive, thereby maintaining control capability while using cheaper standard outlets throughout the building.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system divides control functionality into two segments: a sophisticated remotely-located load control device that handles signal processing and control logic, and simple standard electrical outlets that only need basic switching capability. This segmentation allows the complex control functions to be concentrated in one location while keeping individual outlets simple and inexpensive.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If remotely-located load control devices are used to control electrical outlets, then control function is achieved, but installation complexity increases due to wiring requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol functionVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The load control device is installed in advance in a remotely-located position (above ceiling, behind wall, or in electrical closet) during initial construction or renovation. The wiring is pre-routed through existing building infrastructure, and the device is configured before final outlet installation, simplifying the overall installation process by preparing control infrastructure beforehand.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Extent of automation

If remotely-located load control devices are programmed to respond to input devices, then control responsiveness is improved, but programming time and cost increase due to remote access requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol responsivenessVSAvoidprogramming time

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The load control device incorporates self-testing and automatic configuration capabilities that allow it to identify and associate with input devices (occupancy sensors, timeclocks) automatically without requiring manual programming. The device can autonomously detect sensor presence, establish communication protocols, and configure control parameters, eliminating the need for technicians to physically access and manually program the remote device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If additional load control devices are installed to control electrical outlets, then control coverage is improved, but system cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol coverageVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The remotely-located load control device is designed to control multiple electrical outlets simultaneously through a single device instance. Rather than installing separate control devices at each outlet location, one universal controller can manage numerous outlets by receiving wiring from multiple outlet locations, thereby achieving broad control coverage without proportionally increasing device count or cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12525756B2Controllable electrical outlet with a controlled wired output

Publication Date: 2026.01.13 LUTRON TECHNOLOGY COMPANY LLC

AI summary

A controllable electrical outlet may be used to control one or more standard electrical outlets. The controllable electrical outlet may include a first connection configured to be electrically coupled to a hot connection, a second connection configured to be electrically coupled to a standard electrical outlet, and a third connection configured to be electrically coupled to a neutral connection. The controllable electrical outlet may also include a load control circuit, a communication circuit, and a control circuit. The load control circuit may be electrically coupled in series between the first and second screw terminals to control power delivered to the standard electrical outlet, and the control circuit may be coupled to the load control circuit and the communication circuit. The control circuit may be configured to control power delivered to the standard electrical outlet in response to a wireless signal received via the communication circuit.